Storm Begins to Wane, Will Move Out Tonight – But Rain Will Linger

Showers continued to fall across much of the Southland, sparking mudslides in some areas and raising concerns about flooding, and more rain is on the way Wednesday. However, an end finally appeared to be sight after multiple days of rain that heavily saturated the region.

Pasadena saw relatively little damage compared to several other Los Angeles County cities.

“Thankfully nothing significant,” City Public Information Officer Lisa Derderiam said wednesday morning.

“ Approximately six more trees compromised that caused short-term detours and a few small power outages quickly restored. We’re still anticipating rain tonight so please continue to be aware of driving conditions and your surroundings as far as debris in streets.”

Derderian also said that as the hillsides and vegetation dries out there is still a risk for slides and trees to be impacted. Be aware of any distress and call a professional service or 626-744-7311 if on city property, she urged.

The National Weather Service noted that showers and isolated thunderstorms were in the forecast Tuesday night, but they “should end rather quickly by around midnight.”

“This means Los Angeles and Ventura counties are in line for a break from the rain during the day on Wednesday,” according to the NWS.

Some gusty winds are expected to develop Wednesday and continue into Thursday. There will be a chance of some precipitation by Wednesday evening, with “about a three-hour period of steady rain,” forecasters said. 

Rain rates were expected to be around 0.25 inch per hour in many valley areas.

“Some showers will linger around on Thursday, but all areas should finally see an end to the precipitation by Friday afternoon or evening except for light snow on the north slopes into Friday night,” forecasters said.

Los Angeles County is expected to receive roughly another half-inch to 1.5 inches of rain by Friday across most of the area,  according to the National Weather Service.

The storm that began Sunday afternoon has already toppled local precipitation records.

As of midday Tuesday, the storm had already dropped more than 12 inches in Bel Air over the three-day period, about 12 inches in Sepulveda Canyon at Mulholland and 11.7 inches in Woodland Hills, according to the National Weather Service.

Pasadena saw 8.1 inches, which is almost 40% of its 117-year average seasonal rainfall of 20.8 inches, according to the L.A. Almanac.

The two-day rain total for downtown Los Angeles for Sunday and Monday was 7.03 inches, the third highest rain total for two consecutive days in downtown L.A. since 1877, when rain totals started being recorded, according to the NWS. The highest two-day total was 7.98 inches set on Dec. 31, 1933, and Jan. 1, 1934. The second-highest two-day total was 7.44 inches set on Jan. 25 and 26, 1956.

Los Angeles officials urged residents to stay home and off the roads as the storm continued. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in eight counties in the state, including Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Los Angeles County later declared its own state of emergency.

The emergency proclamations will help expedite procurement of vital supplies and resources, deployment of disaster service workers and the use of emergency protective measures such as evacuation orders, officials said.

“We’ll get any help on the way as soon as you guys request it, so just let me know,” President Joe Biden told Bass in a telephone call during her late Monday afternoon briefing.

Here is the most recent National Weather Service forecast for Pasadena, published at 3:49 a.m. Wednesday morning:

Tonight: Showers, mainly before 10 p.m. Low around 43. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 56. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. South wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the evening.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 39.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 64.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 64.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 67.