Storm System Expected to Drench Pasadena Over Easter Weekend

A storm system will advance into the region Friday and is expected to give the Southland a wet Easter weekend. 

The “unseasonably cold and vigorous storm system” is expected to bring rain to most areas, including a chance of thunderstorms, along with mountain snow, according to the National Weather Service.

The system is expected to hit hardest late Friday night through midday Saturday, with showers and possible thunderstorms lingering through Sunday, “some of which could be very strong with very heavy downpours, hail, gusty winds and possibly even a small tornado or waterspout.”

Rain totals of 1.5 to 3 inches are anticipated in the San Gabriel Valley.

The impending storm prompted the City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Stadium to cancel the Egg Bowl and Bunny Brunch events scheduled for Saturday, March 30.

In lieu of Saturday’s planned events, the City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Stadium are inviting all guests to the “Hop into Spring” event at the Rose Bowl Stadium on Tuesday, April 2, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Guests should register in advance here.

While rain will be the dominant feature, there’s also a slight chance (15 to 20 percent) for thunderstorms to develop. These storms could unleash intense downpours of up to 1 inch per hour, frequent lightning, and even a small possibility of a tornado or waterspout. The window for thunderstorms appears to be Saturday night through Sunday, with the highest risk concentrated later Sunday morning and afternoon.

The NWS issued a flood watch that will be in effect Friday evening through Sunday afternoon covering the bulk of the Southland, noting that “excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, urban areas, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.”

Most of the precipitation is anticipated late Friday and Saturday, but showers are likely to continue through Sunday, according to the NWS.

Forecasters said there’s a slight chance the storm activity could linger into early Monday, but “otherwise dry and warmer conditions are expected next week, with highs back into the 70s across the valleys and inland coastal plain areas by Tuesday.”

Here is the latest National Weather Service forecast for Pasadena, issued at 3:27 a.m. Friday morning:

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. East southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night: Rain, mainly after 11 p.m. Low around 46. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Saturday: Showers. High near 56. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Saturday Night: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. East southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday: Showers are likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 a.m. It will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. The chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday: A slight chance of showers before 11 a.m. Sunny, with a high near 66.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 51.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.