Heavy rain pounded metropolitan Los Angeles on Tuesday, the first day of spring, marking the beginning of the wet season. The latest storm to hit Southern California is forecast to bring several inches of rain, mountain snow, and potentially damaging wind gusts through Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for a wide area from the Mexico border to San Luis Obispo County and the southern half of California's Central Valley. Winter storm warnings have also been issued for mountains in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Coastal areas and valleys are expected to receive 1 to 3 inches of rain through Wednesday, with 3 to 6 inches possible in the lower mountains and foothills. Snow levels will start at 6,000 feet but are expected to drop to 3,500 to 4,000 feet by Wednesday morning.
Peak wind gusts are forecast to range from 40 to 55 miles per hour, but could reach 60 mph at lower elevations, posing a threat to trees and other structures.
SoCalTelevision Community Reporter Jason James warned, "We're going to see widespread, potentially damaging gusts pretty much the entire day Tuesday."
Ahead of the storm, police in Azusa sent officers to the San Gabriel River Valley on Monday to warn people to stay away from the river as water levels surge, in part due to water released from the Morris Dam. A man, Michael Paxton, 34, remains missing after being swept away by the raging water on March 13, and eight other people were rescued that day.
"The water levels are going to be increasingly high, and we want everyone to stay out of the riverbed," warned Azusa Police Lt. Robert Chivas.
Downtown Los Angeles has already received more than 2 feet of rainfall since October 1, 2022, while some areas in the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and Santa Monica mountains have recorded more than 36 inches of rain.
