‘Powerful’ Storm Set to Douse Pasadena on Monday and Tuesday, Temps to Drop

A strong storm system is expected to drench much of Southern California with rain and cover mountaintops with snow beginning Monday evening and peaking Tuesday.

National Weather Service forecasters have dubbed it “the most significant storm of the season.”

Valleys could get up to 3 inches of rain during the storm, while mountains and foothills could see up to 5 inches.

The Pasadena Fire Dept. has both sand and sandbags available for use by residents which can be picked up at Stations 37 (3430 E. Foothill Blvd.) and 38 (1150 Linda Vista Ave.). Up to 10 bags are allowed per resident. Fire personnel are available to assist with loading if not responding to a call.

#Rain is expected early next week. Sand & sandbags are available @PasadenaFD Stations 37 (3430 E. Foothill Blvd.) & 38 (1150 Linda Vista Ave.) if you need them. Up to 10 bags per resident. Fire personnel are available to assist with loading if they’re not responding to a call. pic.twitter.com/5PHwkn2CL3

— City of Pasadena (@PasadenaGov) December 11, 2021

About 1 to 2 feet of snow will fall on mountains above 7,000 feet, but the snow level could fall as low as about 4,500 feet by late Tuesday depending on the amount of moisture still in the storm system.

The storm will be accompanied by chilly temperatures, with daytime highs in the 50s Monday and Tuesday and low dropping to 39 in Pasadena on Tuesday night.

Rain will progress from northwest to southeast, with the heaviest rain over Los Angeles County expected to fall between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the NWS.

“On Tuesday the system will move into L.A. County and will likely make a mess of rush hour traffic. A very strong jet will move over the area,” forecasters said.

Forecasters said the storm will likely move out Tuesday night and Wednesday be sunny, but more rain will follow late Thursday.

Here is a detailed forecast from the National Weather Service:

Monday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Monday Night: Rain, mainly after 10 pm. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 47. East southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday: Rain before 10am, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm between 10 am and 4 pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 56. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers before 10 pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 54.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Thursday: A slight chance of rain after 4 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 56.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before 10 pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 59.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 62.