El Nino-fueled storm heading for Southern California

El Niño is finally whipping up another big, cold storm that’s expected to wallop the region this weekend, bringing the threat of flooding, mud slides and big surf that will made for dangerous ocean conditions, the National Weather Service said this moing.

The NWS station in Oxnard issued a special weather statement and hazardous weather outlook regarding the rain and big surf that will accompany the storm front moving down from Northe Califoia.

The rain could move into the San Feando, Santa Clarita, Antelope and San Gabriel valleys and Inland Empire tonight, and it will linger into Monday.

The storm also has the potential to bring strong south to southwest winds Saturday night into early Sunday, especially in the mountains and deserts, which could cause downed trees and branches, the NWS said.

And there is the possibility of additional storms late next week.

“Sunday is the big day,” said meteorologist Kathy Hoxsie. “We have a chance of rain on Saturday, probably a few sprinkles here and there and then we’re expecting the heavier rain to come. Midnight through noon (Sunday) is really the focus.”

The valleys could get up to 3 inches, with 2 inches expected at higher elevations.

That could creates some street and highway flooding as well as mud slides.

“We’re conceed about that, if the rain comes too heavy in a shot period of time in our bued, scarred areas. The ground would saturate, and that causes slides,” she said.

Daytime temperatures will cool as the weekend progresses, and they will be in the 40- to 50-degree range at night.

Today’s daytime temperatures will be in the mid- to high 70s, and a few degrees cooler on Friday.

By Sunday, temperatures will be in the low to mid-60s, the weather service said.

The National Weather Service has forecasted high temperatures today of 61 in Big Bear; 66 in Torrance and Long Beach; 67 in San Pedro; 74 in Van Nuys and Whittier; 75 in Northridge, West Covina, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga and Ontario; 78 in Redlands; 79 in San Beardino;

The big surf starts rolling in today and will persist into Monday, Hoxsie said. West-facing beaches such as Manhattan and Venice will likely see the biggest waves.

Advertisement

Swells of 6 to 10 feet are expected, with some waves reaching 13 feet.

“Manhattan Beach and Ventura Harbor are our biggest conce,” Hoxsie said.

- - , .