A wet start to 2026 is expected in the Southland, with periods of light to moderate rain likely Wednesday through Saturday from Los Angeles County to San Luis Obispo County, according to the National Weather Service.
The “most likely outcome for storm totals would be” 1 to 3 inches of rain for coasts and valleys and 3 to 5 inches for south-to-southwest-facing foothills and mountains, with potential for additional rockslide and mudslide activity, especially on mountains and canyon roadways, according to the weather service.
Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds will affect typical wind corridors across Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Tuesday, peaking Sunday night through Monday, according to the weather service.
There will be a high risk for downed trees due to the very wet soils.
A “slight weakening” of the winds is forecast for Tuesday.
There is a 77% chance of rain in Pasadena for New Year’s Eve and 98% on New Year’s Day, according to The Weather Channel.
Monday’s forecast highs in Pasadena is a chilly 68.
“Santa Ana winds are also known for creating very warm temperatures due to the downsloping effects off the mountains but in this case, there is quite a bit of cold air advection that will likely minimize the warming, especially inland,” according to the weather service.
Here is the National Weather Service forecast as 1:07 a.m. on Monday:
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 44. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible.
Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly after 10 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 70% (Weather Channel says 77%.)
Wednesday Night: Rain. Low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
New Year’s Day: Rain (Weather Channel says 98% chance). Cloudy, with a high near 61.
Thursday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 4 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 52.
Friday: Rain likely, mainly after 10 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 62.
Friday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 52.
Saturday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 61.
Saturday Night: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 50.
Sunday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
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