A slow-moving storm system settled over Southern California on Sunday, bringing payback from a lengthy dry spell but also the risk of mud in areas scarred by this month’s wildfires.
Showers were expected to continue into Monday afternoon, with light rain across the region and occasional bursts of heavy rain, forecasters said. The rain could Reduce fire risks and help vegetation Set in Los Angeles’ driest start to the rainy season.
But the National Weather Service also estimated there was a 10 to 20 percent chance of burn scars in several Los Angeles counties, sensitive areas where fires have consumed trees and brush.
In the burns, the burned soil could act like a neat sidewalk when wet with rain, creating conditions for mud, said Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the service.
“You just don’t get any water absorption,” Mr Chenard said. “Everything immediately turns into a drain.
The heaviest rain was expected on Sunday and at 4pm on Monday, By service. Los Angeles and Ventura counties were expected to get up to an inch of total rainfall, and up to three inches was forecast in the mountains around Los Angeles.
The Burns include areas burned the Palisades fire in the Palisades section of the Palisades in Los Angeles; the Hurst fire near the Sylmar area of the city; sunset fire near West Hollywood; Eaton Fire near Pasadena; Fire Hughes near Castaic Lake; and the Franklin Fire near Malibu, among others.
Burn Scars outside Los Angeles County had a 5 to 10 percent chance of experiencing landslides, the weather service said.
Residents were urged to stock up on supplies and protect property with sandbags. A flood watch was in effect for Los Angeles, CA until Monday afternoon.
Light rain arrived in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, on Saturday evening and moved across the region on Sunday, the service said.
The system drifted southeast across Los Angeles County and delivered lightning and hail in some areas, according to the service. By Sunday afternoon, the highest rainfall rate—about three-quarters of an inch per hour—was confined to isolated areas.
Rates of more than half an inch of rain per hour in the burns could present “some significant problems,” Mr. Chenard warned.
The Los Angeles region has endured months of brutal drought, fueled by devastating wildfires this month that burned thousands of acres and displaced more than 100,000 people.
Before Saturday, there had been no measurable rain in downtown Los Angeles this year, said John Feerick, senior meteorologist at Accuweather. He described the rain as welcome news.
“It’s generally beneficial rain,” Mr Feerick said. “It should help immensely with the fire situation.
“Now with that comes risk because there are burns,” he added.
