Heavy rain will move southward across the area today along with a slight chance of thunderstorms. The heavy rain will decrease from the northwest this evening with scattered showers continuing through Christmas Day. Another round of more widespread showers is expected for Thursday night and Friday. Gusty south winds will continue through this evening with gusts to 40 mph near the coast and to 55 to 75 mph along the desert slopes of the San Bernardino County mountains. Snow levels above 9000 feet this morning will fall to around 6500 to 7500 feet on Thursday and Thursday night, then fall to around 5500 feet for the weekend. Chances for showers will decrease for the weekend, then may increase again around Wednesday and Thursday of next week.
250430z. Coasts/Valleys, Rain has mostly ended but -SHRA will be possible through 12z. Bases are varying quite a bit, ranging from 1800ft to 3500ft MSL, and remain very patchy. Gusts up to 25-30 kts at times possible through 12z. MVFR/low end VFR conditions will continue through Thursday morning. Low clouds will scatter out or rise more efficiently after 12z, with most locations returning to VFR by 16-18z. Still, lingering FEW-BKN clouds with bases at or above 5000ft MSL expected, especially for Orange County into Thursday afternoon. Low level clouds develop again Thursday evening generally after 02z Fri, with bases anywhere from 1500-3500ft MSL.
.Mountains/Deserts, -SHRA may continue through 12z with MVFR CIGs and brief IFR in any heavier RA. Otherwise, bases generally above 3500ft MSL. 35-45 kt gusts downwind of mtns and into the High Desert through Thursday with gusts locally to 55 kts through passes. Mod- strong up/downdrafts near mtns and into the High Desert. Scattering out of low clouds Thursday morning with generally VFR thereafter.
Southerly winds are weakening, but both winds and seas will remain hazardous to small craft through early Thursday morning. Gusts up to 20-25 kts possible.
South to southwest winds strengthen slightly again late Thursday into Friday, with gusts intermittently exceeding 20 kts. Winds then turn northwest and gradually decrease late Friday into Saturday.
Ca, Flood Watch until 1 AM PST Thursday for San Diego County Coastal Areas-San Diego County Deserts-San Diego County Mountains- San Diego County Valleys.
High Surf Advisory until 11 AM PST Saturday for Orange County Coastal Areas-San Diego County Coastal Areas.
Wind Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening for Orange County Coastal Areas-Orange County Inland Areas-San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire-San Diego County Coastal Areas-San Diego County Valleys-Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills.
Flood Watch until 6 AM PST Thursday for Apple and Lucerne Valleys-Coachella Valley-Orange County Coastal Areas-Orange County Inland Areas-Riverside County Mountains-San Bernardino County Mountains-San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire-San Gorgonio Pass near Banning-Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills.
High Wind Warning until 3 PM PST Thursday for Apple and Lucerne Valleys-San Bernardino County Mountains.
PZ, Small Craft Advisory until 4 AM PST Thursday for Coastal Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border and out to 10 nm- Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border Extending 10 to 60 nm out including San Clemente Island.
