Storm brings record rainfall to Southern California this weekend with more on the way

Showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms continued into Sunday as a storm system moved through Southern California, with highs in the upper 50s and 60s. 

Storm will bring rain with a chance of thunderstorms

The low pressure system was moving through the region. bringing with it intermittent rain on Easter. The system, however, was still a couple hundred miles west of the Southland as of 7 a.m. and was expected to continue to move into the southeast towards Baja California. 

The storm system "came in two phases. We had it yesterday, and now this is the second phase, and that's because the center of the system hasn't even made its way to its final destination," reported KCAL9's Meteorologist Amber Lee. 

Moderate rainfall was being seen in the Santa Clarita Valley, Moorpark, Simi Valley, and San Fernando. Areas like Sierra Madre, Glendora, Downey, and El Monte also experienced moderate showers by morning. 

"We could see a little less of the showery activity than what we first thought, but it is still going to be there. It is still going to be on again, off again. We will probably have a little bit of a longer break in between some of the scattered showers once we head toward the afternoon," said Lee. 

Lightning prompts closure of beaches in Laguna Beach

By Sunday afternoon, the city of Laguna Beach reported via X that the beaches are closed due to lightning. The beaches will reopen 30 minutes after the lightning storm passes, the city added.  

Flash flood watch remains in effect

Mostly cloudy conditions with a chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms are expected through the evening, until after midnight, with lows around 50. A flash flood watch remains in effect for most of Southern California until afternoon and a winter storm warning remains in effect for the mountains until 11 p.m.

"During this time, with these isolated thunderstorms, we could see strong wind, but hail, and heavy downpours in a short amount of time and possible flooding. There is a remote risk of a tornado. You can't rule that out at all because there is so much unstable air," said Lee. 

Rainfall totals will vary by area

Rainfall totals anticipated for Sunday will vary with Ventura and LA counties, the coast and valleys, expected to receive 0.25"-0.50" of rain. Elsewhere, in the Inland Empire and Orange County coast and valleys could see 0.50"-1.25" of rain, with some areas up to 1.50". 

The mountains are expected to get 0.25"-1" of rain, with some areas up to 1.50" and the deserts approximately 0.01"-0.25" of rain. Lee said rain rates could get up to 0.75" per hour likely if a thunderstorm develops, however. 

The snow levels were 4500-5500 feet with a winter weather warning in effect for many of the mountain communities. 

The storm is also impacting visibility along the Cajon Pass where there is rain with very cold temperatures and wind. Drivers are advised to use chains in the area and stay off the road in these conditions, if possible. 

Storm brought record rainfall Saturday

The storm Saturday brought record rainfall to downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, near LAX, Lancaster, Anaheim, Riverside and San Jacinto, with most areas receiving over an inch of rain.

Drier conditions expected early this workweek 

On Monday, it is expected to be sunny with highs in the mid-60s and around 70s. By Thursday, a chance of rain returns with lows in the mid to upper 40s.