After rainfall soaked Southern California on Christmas, another storm will hit the region this week, beginning on New Year’s Eve.
Rain is expected to arrive after midnight and anyone heading out for an early morning commute on Wednesday should prepare for slick conditions.
“If you do have to drive tomorrow morning, give yourself plenty of time because it is going to be wet out there and it’ll be a slow drive,” said KTLA Meteorologist Vera Jimenez.
The heaviest rainfall will arrive between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with 1 to 3 inches expected for the L.A. basin and 3 to 6 inches in the foothills and mountains, according to the National Weather Service.
High wind warnings and advisories as gusts could reach between 30 to 50 mph, enough strength to knock down trees and power lines.
A Flood Watch is in effect for most of the Southern California region until Thursday at 10 p.m. Heavy snowfall is expected for mountain communities and higher elevations.
A storm is headed for Southern California on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2025. (National Weather Service)
Historical data for rainfall in the Southern California region for New Year’s Day. (National Weather Service)
A pedestrian with an umbrella walks on a bridge over the rain-soaked 110 Freeway in Los Angeles Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Snow White’s dwarfs carry umbrellas as they follows Disney Parks float “The Most Magical Celebration on Earth” as it way make its way down Colorado Boulevard during the 117th Annual Rose Parade on Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, in Pasadena, Calif. It rained on the Rose Parade for the first time in more than a half century and hundreds left the floral spectacle before it was finished. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
A crowd gathers in the pouring rain along Colorado Boulevard to watch the 117th Annual Rose Parade on Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, in Pasadena, Calif. It rained on the Rose Parade for the first time in more than a half century and hundreds left the floral spectacle before it was finished. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 24: Water levels rise in the LA River during heavy rainfall from the Pineapple Express storm impacting the region during the week of Christmas in Los Angeles, California on December 24, 2025. (Photo by Grace Hie Yoon/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles River carries increased stormwater flow due to the atmospheric rivers affecting Northern California, which are expected to bring heavy rain and potential flooding to the Los Angeles area, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A lone dog walker braves the pouring rain in the Encino section of Los Angeles on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
An SUV sits buried by a mudslide, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles. A storm of historic proportions unleashed record levels of rain over parts of Los Angeles on Monday, endangering the city’s large homeless population, sending mud and boulders down hillsides dotted with multimillion-dollar homes and knocking out power for more than a million people in California. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Tourists from Poland carry umbrellas in front of the Hollywood sign as rain falls while visiting the Griffith Observatory Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
As the ground and soil are already saturated from last week’s storm, dangerous mudslides and debris flows are easily activated, especially along wildfire burn scar areas.
An evacuation warning will be in effect on Dec. 31 for recent burn scar zones across Los Angeles County, including the Palisades, Eaton, Agua Dulce, Franklin, Lidia, Bridge, Kenneth and Canyon fire areas.
Local officials are warning residents of dangerous road conditions including flooding and scattered debris blocking streets.
Avoid driving if possible, and if traveling is unavoidable, do not attempt to cross any flooded roads and park your vehicle away from tall trees. Those who are camping should stay away from streams and rivers.
Anyone planning to attend the Rose Parade should expect rainy conditions and prepare accordingly. Pasadena officials encourage campers to bring weather-rated sleeping bags to stay warm overnight. However, tents, scaffolding or ladders aren’t permitted.
The last time the Rose Parade saw significant rain was in 2006. Organizers said that the parade will go on, rain or shine.
Showers are expected to continue on and off across the region through Saturday, NWS said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed the Office of Emergency Services to position fire and rescue personnel and resources in areas most at risk for flooding, mud and debris flows.
“California is once again bracing for intense winter weather, and we’re taking every precaution to keep people safe,” Newsom said. “By pre-positioning emergency crews and activating resources in advance, we can respond faster and more effectively if conditions deteriorate. We’re urging everyone to stay informed, avoid driving through flooded areas, and take warnings from local officials seriously as these storms move through.”
During the storm, residents should also take the following actions:
Bring pets inside during the storm to keep them safe from falling debris
If you must travel in the mountains, bring snow chains
Call 911 for life-threatening situations, such as people trapped by flooding or damaged trees and debris flows threatening buildings
Flooding, fallen trees or other significant damage that is not immediately life-threatening can be reported via 311 or online at lacity.gov/myla311
Do not operate generators indoors or in garages
Assume all downed power lines are electrified and dangerous. Avoid contact and call 911 or report power outages to the Department of Water and Power at 1-800-342-5397
Residents who need sandbags can find a local distribution site here:
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