California’s Wet Winter Breaks Rainfall Records as Another Powerful Storm Approaches
California is experiencing a remarkably wet winter, with the latest storm system expected to bring heavy rain, gusty winds, and potential flooding to the region. According to Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, “It’s been an interesting season… We’re way above normal for precipitation.” This is a significant departure from the dry streak in 2024 that contributed to the devastating firestorms in January of that year.
The upcoming storm is forecasted to reach the Los Angeles area by Saturday, bringing rain and high-elevation snow through Sunday. While the rain is expected to be less intense than the previous storm, it will still pose a threat of flooding, particularly in burn scar areas. The Central Coast is expected to receive heavier rainfall, with Wofford warning of potential flooding and mudslides.
Fire Conditions and Rainfall Records
The wet winter has provided some protection against large fires, at least in the short term. David Acuña, a battalion chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, notes that “The amount of rain that we’ve gotten is likely going to ensure that we’re not going to have any large fires in the next couple of weeks, but beyond that, we really can’t say.” However, he emphasizes that a dry spell could quickly reverse this situation, as green and brown grasses can dry out completely in a short period.
The Los Angeles area has already seen higher-than-normal precipitation this rainy season, which began on October 1. The storms in December, particularly over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, were especially strong. The final rainy days of 2025 helped pull California almost completely out of drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. This is even before the traditionally wettest months of January and February.
Storm System and Flood Risk
The storm system is expected to bring 1 to 3 inches of rain to coastal and valley areas and 3 to 6 inches to the foothills and mountains. Rainfall rates are projected to range from 0.25 to 0.5 inch per hour, with local rates of up to an inch per hour possible, especially in foothill and mountain areas in Ventura County and farther north. This could cause flooding and mudslides, according to the weather service.
After heavy intermittent rain, crews work to clear a mud and debris flow that went into the backyard and down the side of a home in the 3900 block of Pacheco Drive in Sherman Oaks on Thursday. Two people were forced to evacuate. Southern California is heading into the new year with another round of rain and renewed flood risk.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Wind Advisories and Flood Risk
The weather service has issued wind advisories for higher-elevation areas of the Ventura and Santa Barbara county mountains, interior San Luis Obispo County, and the Santa Lucia Mountains. These advisories are in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening and may be expanded to the Central Coast. The strong winds could topple trees, especially in areas with saturated soils.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials have warned the public to stay out of the water at beaches due to increased bacteria levels resulting from the rain. The advisory will be in effect until at least 4 p.m. Monday and may be extended if the rain continues.
Future Storm Systems and Rainfall Outlook
Another, colder storm system is expected to hit the region between Monday and Tuesday, potentially bringing isolated thunderstorms with brief heavy downpours and hail, as well as snow levels down to 5,000 feet. The weekend storm is expected to hit Northern California particularly hard, with heavy rain posing a risk of urban and roadway flooding and rising rivers and streams.
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