Key Takeaways:
- California is experiencing a record-breaking wet winter, with some areas already approaching average rain totals for the entire season.
- A powerful storm is expected to hit the state this weekend, bringing gusty winds, heavy precipitation, and a threat of new flooding and mudslides.
- The wet winter has improved fire conditions, but the risk of large fires could return if the state experiences a dry spell.
- The Los Angeles area has seen higher-than-normal precipitation this rainy season, with storms soaking the region each month.
- The weather service has issued wind advisories for higher-elevation areas and warned the public to stay out of the water at beaches due to a rise in bacteria levels.
Introduction to California’s Wet Winter
California’s already wet winter is breaking rainfall records, with another powerful storm moving in this weekend along with the threat of new flooding and mudslides. After a remarkable dry streak in 2024 that helped fuel last January’s firestorms, this winter is making up for it, with some areas already approaching average rain totals for the entire season. 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."
The Latest Storm
The latest storm will usher in gusty wind, more precipitation, and possible flooding in burn scar areas. The cold front moving into the state from the northwest is expected to reach the Los Angeles area by Saturday and bring rain and high-elevation snow through Sunday. In Los Angeles, the rain is expected to be less punishing than the previous storm that triggered significant flooding, road closures, and rescues, but it will be heavier along the Central Coast, Wofford said. The one bright spot is fire conditions, with the wet winter offering some protections, at least in the short term.
Fire Conditions and Rainfall Records
The wet winter has improved fire conditions, but the risk of large fires could return if the state experiences a dry spell. According to David Acuña, a battalion chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, "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." The Los Angeles area has already seen higher-than-normal precipitation this rainy season, with storms soaking the region each month. The final rainy days of 2025 helped pull California almost completely out of drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Rainfall Records and Flooding
The storm system was the first since 2006 to rain on Pasadena’s Rose Parade and ended up being a real doozy, toppling a host of daily rainfall records, several of which were set during that previous storm. In Oxnard, 1.09 inches of rain fell, breaking the previous New Year’s Day record of 0.83 of an inch set in 2006. In Sanberg, the record of 0.56 of an inch set in 2006 was broken by a whopping 1.25 inches. The weekend storm is expected to bring 1 to 3 inches of rain to coast and valley areas and 3 to 6 inches to the foothills and mountains, with rainfall rates projected to range from 0.25 to 0.5 inch per hour.
Weather Warnings and Advisories
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. Those advisories are in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening and will probably be expanded into the Central Coast, forecasters said. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials have warned the public to stay out of the water at beaches because of a rise in bacteria levels due to the rain. The advisory, which will be in effect until at least 4 p.m. Monday, could be extended if the rain continues.
Northern California and Future Storms
The weekend storm is expected to hit Northern California particularly hard, with heavy rain bringing the risk of urban and roadway flooding and rising rivers and streams. On Friday in Corte Madera, an unincorporated town in Marin County, king tides were already resulting in significant flooding. Video posted on social media showed a resident surveying the damage by kayak. Forecasters say another, colder storm system is expected to hit the region between Monday and Tuesday, which could bring isolated thunderstorms with brief heavy downpours and hail, as well as snow levels down to 5,000 feet.
Conclusion and Outlook
In conclusion, California’s wet winter is breaking rainfall records, with another powerful storm moving in this weekend. The wet winter has improved fire conditions, but the risk of large fires could return if the state experiences a dry spell. The Los Angeles area has seen higher-than-normal precipitation this rainy season, with storms soaking the region each month. The weather service has issued wind advisories for higher-elevation areas and warned the public to stay out of the water at beaches due to a rise in bacteria levels. As the state heads into the new year, it’s essential to stay informed about the weather and take necessary precautions to stay safe.