Storm could deliver white Christmas, soak Southland

The peak of the incoming atmospheric river system will probably start Tuesday, say meteorologists, who are also monitoring for possible risks

- BY RONG-GONG LIN II

ROBERT GAUTHIER Los Angeles Times IN ORANGE COUNTY, the heaviest rainfall is expected Christmas Eve. Above, a decorated home in Brea.

A powerful Pineapple Express storm could deliver a wet, white and potentially wild Christmas to California, with the possibility of snow in the Sierra Nevada and plenty of rainfall across the Southland.

The incoming atmospheric river system is shaping up to be the strongest in years to hit the Los Angeles area on the holiday — and threatens a soggy slog for those hitting the road to visit friends or family.

The peak of the storm for Southern California is likely to start Tuesday and continue through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard.

The most likely scenario for Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties involves “high amounts” of rain: 2 to 4 inches on the coast and in the valleys. There's a 50% chance of that scenario coming to pass.

ROBERT GAUTHIER Los Angeles Times CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS brighten a Brea home on Dec. 3. Orange County is expected to see the heaviest rainfall on Christmas Eve.

There’s also a 30% chance of “very high” amounts of rainfall, 4 or more inches, on the coast and in the valleys.

The last time it rained on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in downtown Los Angeles was in 2021, when 0.83 of an inch fell over the two days.

The last time it rained more than 2 inches over those two days was all the way back in 1971.

It’s still unclear whether this storm will be naughty with torrential downpours intense enough to cause flooding and mud or debris flows — or nice, with gentle rainfall spread out beneficially over a period of days.