Chilly temperatures and overcast skies returned to Southern California on Tuesday, Dec. 27, bringing anticipated rainfall following a reprieve with warmer temperatures over the next holiday weekend.

Rainfall was anticipated to hit Los Angeles county in the early to mid-afternoon Tuesday after falling on San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties in the morning, said meteorologist Robbie Munroe of the National Weather Service.

The storm system would then spread southeast toward Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, brining light to moderate rainfall through Wednesday morning, meteorologist Adam Roser said.

“It’s nothing too incredibly heavy,” Roser said. “It’ll be a nice, beneficial rain for everyone.”

Most areas in Southern California will receive about a half-inch of rain through Wednesday morning, while higher elevations could see closer to an inch, forecasters said.

“With this system moving a bit faster than anticipated, the totals are down a bit from earlier estimations,” Munroe said.

Forecasters also warned of possible high surf and strong rip currents at Los Angeles County beaches, with waves possibly reaching 5 to 10 feet.

High surf and strong rip current will impact beaches in SW California, especially west facing shores. Potential for breaking waves at Morro Bay/Ventura Harbor entrances. #LAWeather #cawx pic.twitter.com/e90iQxj53N

— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 27, 2022

Southern California could see showers Thursday and Friday before a more widespread, colder storm system moves in over New Year’s weekend, forecasters said.

That storm could bring another half-inch to an inch of rain to most areas and about an inch-and-a-half in the mountains, Munroe said.

“That system will be more dynamic and stronger, but still fast-moving,” he said.

Snowfall could reach as low as 5,000 feet, Munroe said.

Temperatures will remain mostly in the 60s across Southern California throughout the week, forecasters said. No special watches, warnings or advisories were anticipated as of Tuesday afternoon, but Roser said a heavier shower could lead to some isolated flooding.

Rainfall totals were at about average for the season and the series of storms this week could bring those totals slightly above average, Roser said.

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