Powerful Winter Storm Expected Late Thursday Into Friday

The National Weather service predicts Pasadena won’t be spared as a massive atmospheric river known as the Pineapple Express is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall late Thursday to Friday (December 11 to 12) to the Pasadena area.

“In Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the cold storm should bring 1 to 2 inches of rain along the coast and 2 to 4 inches in the mountains and foothills Thursday night into early Friday, meteorologist Scott Sukup told the Los Angeles Times.

Temperatures will drop sharply, too, meteorologists say, with highs in the 60’s and low’s in the 50’s.

The first rainfall in Pasadena is predicted to hit after 4 p.m. Thursday. By nightfall thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall are expected.

Brief and heavy downpours can be expected from the cold and unstable air mass that will post a threat of showers on Friday, so make sure to bring your umbrellas and rain gear if heading out.

Rainfall totals beginning Thursday afternoon through Friday night are expected to range from 1 to 2 inches for coastal and valley areas, and 2 to 4 inches across the foothills and mountains.

The National Weather Service also reports that there will be a slight chance of thunderstorms in the region both days with the potential of high intensity rainfall, small hail, and gusty winds. More importantly, these projected rainfall rates are higher than last week’s storm, so be prepared for a bigger chance of flash flooding with mud and debris.

Residents must also prepare for the powerful winds which are estimated to be over 70 MPH in the mountains and around 35 to 50 MPH across some valley locations. Foothill locations should expect isolated gusts with up to 60 MPH that may affect power lines and cause property damage.

The Weather Channel says last week’s rains allowed Los Angeles County dams and spreading ground to capture 1.8 billion gallons of water, enough to meet the needs of 44,000 people in one year. That’s a relative drop in the multi-year drought bucket, the Weather channel commented, “but a start.”