Relief in sight from California’s persistent dry heat
By Faith Eherts, AccuWeather meteorologist
January 02, 2018, 3:11:33 AM EST
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A welcome shift to damper weather is nearing for California after drought and blazing sunshine fueled devastating wildfires over the past year.
In Los Angeles, temperatures have been running 4 degrees Fahrenheit above average since Sept. 1.
Elsewhere throughout the state, temperatures have been running a general couple of degrees above average.
The majority of Southern California is experiencing moderate drought conditions as well.
Change is finally in store later this week, with damp and milder weather expected to infiltrate the state.
“A storm system is expected to move into the California area by Thursday night into Friday,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Edwards.
Before limiting temperatures closer to average this week, this will bring moisture necessary for showers to move into the state, he said.
Humidity will increase throughout the area as a result, aiding firefighting efforts and lessening the threat for new fires sparking.
The damper, cloudier weather is also expected to lend some improvement to the recently poor air quality.
“Showers will persist through most of the coastal regions and bring some periods of heavy rainfall beginning on Thursday,” Edwards said.
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“The bulk of the rainfall will be primarily in the northern half of California, mostly north of San Francisco. However some heavy showers can still persist south around Los Angeles,” he said.
The highest chance for wet weather to infiltrate the L.A. Basin will come during the weekend, though a few showers cannot be ruled out beginning on Thursday.
Driving will be perilous at the onset of any rainfall, since oil buildup on the roads will quickly create slippery conditions.
Where heavier rain persists, flooding may be possible in poor drainage areas in addition to potential mudslides in burn scar areas.
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