A powerful winter storm will soak Los Angeles and much of Southern California on Monday, dampening plans for Presidents Day and threatening thunderstorms and possible flooding through midweek. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a storm with a lot of energy,\u201d said Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. \u201cThere\u2019s 30% to 40% chance of thunderstorms on Monday. We could see damaging wind gusts, intense rainfall, water spouts or brief, weak tornadoes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though it\u2019s expected to start drizzling overnight, Angelenos likely won\u2019t see heavy rainfall until late Monday afternoon, with showers predicted through the evening. The coasts could see 1 to 2\u00bd inches of rain, with up to 5 inches predicted for the foothills and mountains. <\/p>\n
A colder, weaker storm will sweep in Tuesday night into Wednesday, forecasters said, dumping an additional inch to inch and a half of rain on the coast and up to 3 inches more in the foothills. Similar conditions are expected across much of Southern California. <\/p>\n
\u201cMonday is really the day to watch,\u201d Schoenfeld said. <\/p>\n
Presidents Day will also bring heavy snow to Northern California and the Eastern Sierra, with several feet predicted in the mountains and whiteout conditions near Mammoth and Lake Tahoe. <\/p>\n
Most of Los Angeles will be under a flood watch until at least 9 p.m. Monday, with \u201ca 20% chance of more damaging debris flows in burn scar areas,\u201d Schoenfeld said. <\/p>\n
Residents near the burn scars from last year\u2019s firestorm will remain under an evacuation warning through Tuesday. Portions of Topanga Canyon Boulevard were closed beginning at 10 p.m. Sunday and extending into midweek. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll Angelenos \u2014 especially those in burn scar areas \u2014 are encouraged to follow official guidance, use caution on the roads, plan ahead, and stay informed,\u201d Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. <\/p>\n
Bass and other officials warned Angelenos to stay inside and off the roads as much as possible. <\/p>\n
\u201cI want to urge residents to take this forecast seriously and prepare now,\u201d L.A. County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis said in a statement Sunday. \u201cWhile this storm is not expected to be as intense as the atmospheric river we experienced in December, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and dangerous surf can still create serious hazards, including flooding and debris flows.\u201d <\/p>\n
Hail and lightning are also possible, though less likely, Schoenfeld said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to emphasize that the conditions will be extremely unfavorable for hiking, camping, driving out into the mountains,\u201d Schoenfeld said. \u201cMountains will be a very dangerous place to be during these storms.\u201d <\/p>\n
Snow is expected to blanket parts of Southern California through Wednesday, with up to 3 feet predicted at the highest peaks and a dusting possible across the Interstate 5 corridor. <\/p>\n
Travelers on the Grapevine could see \u201cblowing snow and near whiteout conditions,\u201d Schoenfeld said. <\/p>\n