Big changes are coming to Southern California's weather. A strong atmospheric river is headed to  Los Angeles County on Tuesday. But this isn’t the first storm. Another storm already hit Northern California on Monday.  It is a powerful one. Flood watches cover a large  area of Northern California from Monday afternoon until Wednesday morning.

        This storm will bring big rains. The coastal winds of Southern California will be strong. They will blow from the south and southwest and reach their peak on Tuesday afternoon and night. In L. A. County, winds could hit 10-20 mph in populated areas and 20-40 mph in the mountains and deserts. Rainfall rates can be different in places.  The hills and slopes, especially those by recent wildfire areas, might see more rain. In areas with recently burned lands, caution is advised. The threat of mudslides and debris flow is higher. Northern California will get heavy rain too. While the rain appears to be light in Los Angeles County, things may change .  Rainfall rates of half an inch per hour could trigger significant risks like mudslides and debris flow in burned areas.

         Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties will see more rain. The peak will be from  Tuesday to Wednesday 8am. Rain is expected to be steady but heavy in areas. There are different chances of how much rain will fall. The weather service forecasts that some areas could see quarter inch to half an inch rain per hour.   The rain could be a bit more intense over certain parts of western LA County, but overall, the storm looks to be stronger in areas north of LA County.

         The second storm coming to L. A. on Thursday and Friday may have more impact than the first. In Los Angeles County, the rain will be in moderate amounts. Rates will range from one-quarter to half an inch per hour, which,  while beneficial, does not pose a significant threat of  debris or mud flows.

        The second atmospheric river storm is expected to affect areas outside of Los Angeles County. It looks like heavy rainfall will hit north of  San Francisco Bay Area With  the Sacramento River Valley and the Sierra sees more intense rains .  Snow will be heavy there. However, snow will be very limited around the L. A. region and may not fall on  known areas

        In San Diego and Orange counties and the Inland Empire, Tuesday night through Friday, things are different. Rain amounts will be lower. Orange Counties  are expected to get less than an inch of rain.

        So, what does all this mean? Southern California is getting much needed rain. But, it comes with some risks. Flooding, mudslides, and debris flow are all possibilities. Stay alert and prepared. The area is in its first storm of the winter season.  For some locations, the mountains may get more rain. So, if you're in or near the canyons or mountains, be extra cautious.  Stay prepared for possible hazards like  debris flows and mudslides. Roads and creeks will be affected.  So, drive carefully and watch out for flooded areas. Be aware that road conditions are likely to change.

Storms Rolling In: What SoCal Needs to Know

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