The first in a series of winter storms dropped just over an inch of rain on Pasadena during a 24-hour stretch ending early Tuesday, soaking streets and saturating the ground but causing no significant damage, according to the city’s chief communications officer.
The reprieve may be short-lived. A second, more powerful storm is forecast to move through Tuesday afternoon and intensify into the evening, with the National Weather Service projecting heavier rainfall, wind gusts up to 30 mph and possible thunderstorms after 10 p.m. The agency issued a flood watch for Los Angeles County, including Pasadena, from 6 p.m. Tuesday through 6 a.m. Wednesday.
No significant overnight storm damage, Lisa Derderian, chief communications officer for the City of Pasadena, reported Tuesday morning. One confirmed incident of minor flooding was reported at 721 E. Colorado Blvd., according to police channels. Standing water also slowed traffic on the Arroyo Seco Parkway.
National Weather Service data updated at 2:57 a.m. Tuesday showed cumulative rainfall in Pasadena of approximately 1.04 inches over the preceding day. The rain fell in waves, with the heaviest burst producing about 0.61 inches. Sustained winds reached 10 to 17 mph, with gusts peaking near 25 mph.
Monday’s storm arrived on Presidents’ Day, when lighter holiday traffic reduced road hazards. That changes Tuesday.
“We still have on and off rain all week so we need residents to be cognizant of storm related incidents that can occur and take the extra time when commuting and especially on school zone areas,” Derderian said. She also advised residents to move trash cans a few feet from the curb, noting that rainwater carried bins down several streets Monday.
Forecasters said rain will begin to intensify after 4 p.m. Tuesday. The chance of precipitation rises to 80 percent during the day and 90 percent Tuesday night. Rainfall totals could reach an additional inch in valley areas, with higher amounts in the mountains, according to the weather service. A winter storm warning remains in effect for mountain areas.
Showers are expected to taper off by Wednesday morning, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 56. Another round of rain is likely Thursday, with amounts between one-third and one-half inch. Dry conditions are expected Friday through the weekend, with temperatures warming into the 60s Saturday and potentially reaching the upper 60s to low 70s early next week.
The National Weather Service advised Pasadena residents to prepare for slick roads, possible flooding and travel delays in mountain areas.
Here is the Pasadena forecast from the National Weather Service as of 3:28 a.m. Tuesday:
Tuesday: Rain, mainly after 4:00 p.m. High near 57. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 10:00 p.m. Low around 41. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of rain before 10:00 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. West southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain after 4:00 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday: Rain likely, mainly between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly before 10:00 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Monday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
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