Two systems taking aim at Southern California are looking to bring scattered rain to the region, possibly beginning as soon as Saturday and lasting potentially until Tuesday.
Timeline
Saturday night – Tropical Storm Rachel may deliver light, scattered rain throughout the region.
Sunday overnight until early morning – Scattered rain will continue but mostly be situated in the Inland Empire and mountain communities.
Sunday afternoon – Wet weather from Tropical Storm Rachel will begin to taper off.
Monday – A cold system from our north will creep into the region, bringing with it scattered rain and cool temperatures.
Tuesday – A lingering chance of rain may continue bringing wet weather to the Southland, but it could dissipate by then.
Thursday and Friday – A bump in temperatures will make for warmer conditions, but nothing like the recent heat wave.
Tropical Storm Rachel
The first band of showers will be delivered as remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel, whose path appears to be heading toward Baja California, Mexico. Although forecast models show those remnants will likely bring most of the wet weather to the Inland Empire and mountain communities, areas to the west may also get bits of rain.
“Tonight, we could be seeing some light showers move in,” NBC4 Meteorologist Shanna Mendiola said. “You could see that as early as this afternoon, but not everyone is going to see a light sprinkle. It’s really not going to be much, but it’s because that moisture is moving in and clouds are thickening up. You could get a light raindrop or two, so don’t be surprised there.”
A quarter of an inch to an inch of rain is possible thanks to Tropical Storm Rachel, with the bulk of the showers anticipated in the Inland Empire. The majority of the incoming rain associated with this storm will be experienced overnight into Sunday.
Another system from our north
After a brief break from Tropical Storm Rachel’s showers, a system from the Pacific Northwest will bring another band of rain to the Southland on Monday.
“We get that secondary system from the area to our north; it’s a much cooler one,” Mendiola said. “So, Monday’s expected to be mostly cloudy and we’ve got scattered showers in between but again, nothing too heavy. And the more of the concern is going to be at the coastline for that high surf, the potential for coastal flooding and coastal erosion.”
Several cars got stuck and had to be towed, and the water made its way into homes near Balboa Boulevard. Darsha Philips reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.
Coastal concerns
Coastal communities are preparing for potentially high surf amid the inclement weather. The National Weather Service issued several advisories in the wake of the storms:
Coastal flood warning – In effect until 3 p.m. Sunday.
High surf advisory – In effect until 10 p.m. Sunday.
Coastal flood advisory – In effect from 3 p.m. Sunday to 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Beachfront properties along Newport Beach’s peninsula were battered by high surf on Friday, flooding several blocks. On Saturday, police announced all piers would be closed until further notice while emergency crews work to protect the coast from more high surf.
In Long Beach, some seaside homes were placed under an evacuation order due to powerful waves. Homes on Seaside Walk between 64th and 66th Place are under the order until Tuesday afternoon.