SoCal drying out after another winter storm, but some spotty showers could linger

Another storm is moving in to Southern California just as Mountain High Resort gears up for its opening day.

Resort officials are closely watching conditions as skiers and snowboarders are anticipating fresh snow. The resort has fired up its snow-making system once again, hoping Mother Nature will add to the base.

"The snow guns... should hopefully run through Thursday into Friday, and there's a chance that we will open on Saturday," said the resort's Todd Proffite.

The resort may have to push its opening, depending on snow levels, so check before you head up.

Another storm is moving in to Southern California just as Mountain High Resort gears up for its opening day.

Just down the mountain, the town of Wrightwood is also prepared for the next wave of winter weather.

Last week, parts of the community were placed under evacuation warnings because of possible debris flows, the result of burn scars left behind by last year's Bridge Fire.

But, this incoming system is expected to be much colder producing more snow than rain.

"Bring it on. We're ready," said longtime resident Bruno Arguin.

A winter storm watch went into effect for portions of the area above 6,500 feet level Thursday morning. The National Weather Service says the area could see up to 5 to 10 inches of snow.

For travelers heading into the mountains for the holidays, the message is to be prepared.

Starting late Thursday morning into the afternoon, mostly light-to-moderate showers will roll into Ventura County. There's a chance for thunderstorms in the mix, but they're more likely later Thursday into Friday.

Those light-to-moderate showers are expected to become more moderate by the afternoon into early evening, moving into L.A. County. This could make for a messy commute home on Thursday.

Then, the storm system continues to move into the Inland Empire and parts of Orange County by about 7 p.m.

By the overnight hours into Friday morning, the rain will become more scattered, with another round of showers early Friday.

The showers are expected to start breaking up by about 6 a.m. and continue to dwindle down by the afternoon, leaving behind partly cloudy skies.

Early Saturday morning, light wrap-around showers are possible for more eastern areas like the low desert and some mountain communities.

Los Angeles and Orange counties on Thursday can expect rain the the afternoon into the evening, with a high of 57 degrees and a low of 47. A slight chance of thunderstorms sticks around on Friday.

Saturday is expected to partly cloudy with highs reaching 67 degrees.

By Sunday and into next week, conditions will be sunny and mild.

The valleys and Inland Empire on Thursday will see up to 3/4 of an inch of rain, with a high of 57 degrees and a low of 42.

Slight rain chances stick around through Saturday.

By Sunday and into next week, high temps will be in the mid-70s and lows will reach mid-40s.