Dramatic temperature drop expected Tuesday in Southern California with rain, snow

Southern California residents can expect a dramatic drop in temperatures Tuesday, Feb. 15, as a fast-moving winter storm will drop scattered showers throughout the region along with snow to surrounding mountains, National Weather Service meteorologists said.

Many places that saw highs in the 80s the previous week will only see thermometers reach the upper 50s or low 60s on Tuesday, said Mark Moede, meteorologist with the NWS  San Diego office. Showers are expected throughout parts of the Inland Empire and Orange County, however, not much measurable rainfall was anticipated, Moede said.

“We could maybe see a quarter-inch to a third-of-an-inch (of rainfall) in the foothills,” Moede said.

Buckle up your seat belts. This will be one heck of a ride! Temps will drop some 15-25 degrees tomorrow from what we felt today on strengthening west winds. Scattered showers will also occur and snow will fly in the higher mountains too! #CAwx pic.twitter.com/VU9UH2mnJf

— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) February 14, 2022

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In Los Angeles County, northern facing slopes are expected to bare the brunt of the storm, including areas like the Grapevine and the northern San Gabriel Mountains, said Tom Fisher, meteorologist with the NWS Los Angeles office. Showers were expected to be scattered throughout Los Angeles County, with only a 20 to 30 percent probability of rainfall, Fisher said.

“We’re expecting a little bit of everything: wind; cold air; light precipitation and high surf,” Fisher said.

Snow was expected for elevations above 4,500 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains, with several inches expected above 6,000 feet, Moede said.

The storm was expected to taper off Tuesday evening and bring temperatures about five degrees below their seasonal averages on Wednesday, Feb. 16, Fisher said. Dry and mild seasonal average temperatures were expected to last Thursday through Saturday, he said.

The shift in weather patterns stems from a “very cold and deep” low-pressure system over the Pacific Northwest that is working its way south, Fisher said.

Both meteorologists said there was a possibility for a similar storm system to make its way through the region on Monday, Feb. 21, and bring additional rain.

Source: Orange County Register