After record-breaking heat last month that made late winter feel like midsummer, the heat continued into April, with Santa Ana winds fueling local wildfires. But forecasters say it will feel more like spring in Southern California this week as cooler, wetter weather approaches.
According to the National Weather Service, rain in Los Angeles and Ventura counties could begin Thursday and continue through Saturday, with a 70% chance of rain.
National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld told The Times that SoCal residents can expect up to 1 inch of rain.
“We’re going to start a cooling trend (Monday) that will last a few degrees above normal through Wednesday,” Schoenfeld said. “It will definitely be cooler Thursday through the weekend.”
The mild weather will be welcome for many after the recent bout of extreme weather, which experts blame on climate change. After heavy winter rains, March brought hot and dry weather. The temperature in Woodland Hills reached 102 degrees on March 19, breaking the previous record of 96 degrees set in 1997. That same week, Lancaster’s temperature reached 93 degrees, surpassing the record of 87 set in 2004. Temperatures reached above 90 degrees across the Inland Empire, the Times previously reported.
After heat and fire, thunder and lightning
In early April, Santa Ana winds fanned local wildfire flames. Springs fire in Riverside County prompts evacuation orders 95% contained According to Cal Fire, all evacuations were lifted Sunday evening.
According to the weather service, it’s not yet clear how hot it will be in April.
“It was definitely a really warm March,” Schoenfeld said. “But it doesn’t lock us into any specific (temperature) for April, just because March was warm.”
However, the weather is set to remain cool this week, with a 10% to 20% chance of thunderstorms. weather service warned. Schoenfeld said storms could hit some areas Friday and Saturday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and landslides.
Snowfall is expected in the mountains on Friday, mainly between 7,000 and 9,000 feet. The weather service said it is still uncertain how much accumulation will actually occur over the wet weekend.
Anyone heading to the mountains is advised to leave all elevated areas lightning strikes. Drivers are advised to remain inside their vehicles for at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder. The weather service warned not to shelter under a tree or use a rock or rocky outcropping.
