California Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Thunderstorms This Week

Two storm systems are expected to bring significant precipitation, mountain snow, and potential travel disruptions across the state through Thursday.

Southern California is forecast to receive heavy rainfall, with 0.5 to 1.5 inches expected in areas like Los Angeles and San Diego, raising concerns about debris flows near recent burn scars.
The Central Coast and mountain areas such as the Santa Cruz Mountains and Big Sur are expected to see the highest rainfall totals, ranging from 1.5 to 3 inches in some areas.
Snow levels are predicted to drop as low as 3,000 feet, with 1 to 2 feet of snow expected in the Sierra Nevada and 6 to 12 inches in Southern California's mountain ranges, potentially disrupting travel in passes like the Grapevine.
Thunderstorms, gusty winds, and small hail are possible in parts of the Central Coast, San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California, with a remote chance of weak tornadoes on Thursday.
A colder air mass will settle across the state after the storms, bringing chilly overnight temperatures and setting the stage for another significant storm system expected to arrive late Sunday.