What to KnowScattered showers are in the forecast for Monday night before rain becomes more widespread overnight and into Tuesday morning.Downtown Los Angeles’ average rainfall for October is 0.57 inches, meaning the storm might deliver a month’s worth of rainfall or more in just a few hours.Flash flood watches will be in effect for recent burn scar areas, including the Eaton and Palisades fire zones. Roads will be slick with flooding possible in some locations during the morning drive. Temperatures on Tuesday will run 10 to 20 degrees below normal.
Widespread rain is expected overnight and into Tuesday from the first significant storm of the season, triggering flash flood watches and advisories for several areas and raising the risk of debris flows in wildfire burn zones.
Evacuation warnings were issued for several recent wildfire burn scar areas ahead of the storm. In addition to steady rain that could trigger debris flows and slides on hillsides, winds will pick up, especially in desert communities. Other possible impacts include road flooding, debris flows in wildfire burn areas, weak tornadoes and slick roads during the Tuesday morning drive.
Rain will arrive late Monday and spread overnight throughout Southern California.
Here’s the rainfall timeline.
Monday night forecast
Expect mostly dry conditions and cooler temperatures with highs in the 70s during the day. Winds increase in the afternoon with desert gusts up to 45 and 55 mph. A wind advisory in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for desert areas.
A low pressure system moving south from Oregon will start to deliver rain, mostly scattered showers, Monday evening.
Flash flood watches, indicating the possibility of flooding, will go into effect Monday night.
In Orange and San Bernardino counties, a flash flood watch will begin late Monday night and continue through Tuesday afternoon for the Bridge, Line, Apple, El Dorado and Airport burn scars. Hillsides stripped of vegetation by wildfires can make soil repel water, which can lead to increased runoff and flooding.
In Los Angeles County, the flood watch goes into effect Monday evening and continues through Tuesday afternoon for areas near burn scars, including January’s Palisades and Eaton fires. Flooding will be possible in other areas.
Heavy rain and gusty winds are in the forecast, causing concern for the burn scar areas. Brittany Hope reports for the NBC4 News at 6 a.m. on Oct. 13, 2025.
Overnight into Tuesday morning
Showers will pick up overnight with heavy rain developing by Tuesday morning in time for the morning drive. Street and freeway flooding is possible in low lying areas.
The forecast includes a chance for thunderstorms that could produce lightning, strong winds, hail and waterspouts or weak tornadoes.
High rainfall rates are possible over recent burn scars, raising the threat of mudslides and debris flows. Rainfall rates could reach 0.25 to 0.50 inches per hour with higher rates possible if thunderstorms develop.
A few inches of snow are possible above 6,000 feet.
Tuesday’s high temperatures will feel more like winter. Expect highs to top out in the low-60s, about 10 to 20 degrees below normal.
The flood watches are expected to expire in the afternoon as rain tapers off. Spotty showers might linger into the evening with clearing by Wednesday morning.
Estimated rainfall totals and California drought conditions
Most of Southern California, including Orange County and parts of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties are under severe drought ahead of the first storm of the season, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
A portion of western Riverside County is in extreme drought, according to the Drought Monitor report released Thursday.
The storm will mark the first significant rainfall in months for many areas. Downtown Los Angeles’ average rainfall for October is 0.57 inches, meaning the storm might deliver a month’s worth of rainfall or more in just a few hours.
Los Angeles and Ventura counties: 0.75 to 1.50 inches
Orange County and Inland Empire: 0.25 to 0.75 inches
Mountains and foothills: 1.50 to 3.50-plus inches