Flood watch now in effect for LA burn scar areas; rain to pick up this afternoon

Sunday, January 26, 2025 6:00PM

Heavier rain expected Sunday afternoon with chance of storms

A flood watch is set to go into effect Sunday morning for parts of Southern California as authorities switch gears from worrying about wildfires to possible landslides.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A flood watch went into effect Sunday morning for parts of Southern California as authorities switch gears from worrying about wildfires to possible landslides.

The flood watch began at 10 a.m. and will remain in effect until Monday afternoon. This covers the Eaton, Palisades, Franklin, Bridge and Hughes burn scars. The much-needed rain will help dampen the fire areas, but is increasing the risk of mudslides and dangerous debris flow.

Meanwhile, a winter storm warning is in effect until 4 p.m. Monday for the eastern San Gabriel Mountains, where National Weather Service forecasters expect heavy snow of up to 14 inches in some areas, though no more than an inch is anticipated along Grapevine. Gusty winds are also anticipated overnight.

What is the rainfall timeline?

The rain will start to come in around noon on Sunday. The mountain areas will also start seeing some snow around that time.

However, things will start to pick up Sunday afternoon around 4 p.m. through Monday afternoon as heavier downpours as expected with the possibility of thunderstorms. Areas along the Grapevine and the Cajon Pass could see about a foot of snow - or more - in higher elevations.

The National Weather Service is giving a 10% to 20% chance for significant debris flows over the Los Angeles County burn scars. The burn scars under flood watch are The Eaton, Palisades, Franklin, Bridge, and Hughes burn scars.

Rainfall totals

Most of the Southland will likely see anywhere between 1/2 an inch to 3/4 of an inch of rainfall from this storm. Areas near the San Gabriel Mountains will see anywhere between 1 to 2 inches of rain.

The valleys and Inland Empire regions may see anywhere between 1/2 of an inch to an inch of rain.

Sunday weather for Southern California

Los Angeles and Orange counties on Sunday can expect an 80% chance of rain - a quarter inch to half inch of rain could fall. A high of 56 and a low of 42 is on tap.

The valleys and Inland Empire on Sunday will see about a 90% chance of rain, between a half inch to three quarters of an inch of rain. The high will be 56 and the low overnight will be 44. Similar weather is expected on Monday.

Beaches can expect temperatures in the high 50s for the next few days. On Sunday, the chance of rain will be 80%.

Mountain communities on Sunday will see about 3-5 inches of snow at elevations around 6,000 feet, when temperatures drop to the 30s. More snow is expected on Monday.

Deserts on Sunday will be cold with gusty winds and showers. A high of 47 and a low of 32 is expected.

City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.

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