Southern Cali: Weather experts are hinting at a blistering spell this week, with a hint of afternoon monsoon rains gracing the eastern San Gabriel Mountains through the weekend.
Tom Fisher, an experienced meteorologist with the National Meteorological Service based in Oxnard, is forecasting a mild “monsoon flow” to sweep across Southern California in the coming days, bringing a dose of moisture and humidity straight from the Gulf of California.
The weather event will primarily affect the higher elevations of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The San Gabriel Mountains present the main hot spot for storm activity, with the likelihood of intensifying as the system migrates east, weather experts say.
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The monsoon season in Southern California traditionally runs from mid-July through September.
Fisher noted, “Typically, we would prepare for the ‘May gray’ and June dark’ climate sequence first. So this is a bit of an unusual scenario.”
Inland regions of Southern California are expected to be spared the rain this week. However, partly cloudy skies may play hide and seek through Wednesday. The weather service is predicting increased moisture levels in the coming days, with a modest 10 percent chance of lone thunderstorms to grace higher ground starting Tuesday.
As we head into Wednesday, Fisher says mountain storm chances will increase to 20 percent. If such storms occur, they are likely to be dry or have minimal precipitation, with any precipitation evaporating before it hits the ground.
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Valley and desert regions are bracing for a rise in the mercury into the mid-90s, which persists through the middle of next week.
In contrast, coastal areas will enjoy milder weather, with the promise of low clouds and fog appearing overnight and lasting until the dawn hours, forecasters say.
Monsoons in Southern California begin when a weather change in the Four Corners states (Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico) triggers a wind rotation, escorting moist air or showers into the area. During this phase, humidity levels increase and heat increases.
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