After days of dangerously hot temperatures, the forecast shows rain and high surf on the way for Southern California.
Some areas were expected to see temperatures reach the mid to high 90s on Oct. 8, as a weeklong heat wave started
to wind down. Conditions will then begin to cool off, and by Sunday and Monday, highs could drop into the 70s, said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Oxnard"We do see relief on the way," he said.
As the heat wave ends, remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel will mix with low pressure systems, bringing the possibility of rain and coastal flooding. Areas also should expect high surf and strong rip currents, according to the weather service.
There was still uncertainty about the details, from how
much rain to where it falls and when it will show up. But Ventura and Los Angeles counties could see cloudy, cooler conditions and a chance of showers starting Saturday.
The best chance for rain, however, was Sunday into Monday, Kittell said.
High surf, coastal flooding in the forecast
In all, Ventura County could see a quarter of an inch to a half-inch of rainfall over several hours. The forecast also shows a slight chance of thunderstorms.
The timing of the coastal flooding was not yet clear as of midweek. The period of most concern, however, was during high tides Sunday morning, Kittell said. Seawater could wash over bike paths, walkways and possibly roads along the coast.
"It seems pretty likely that we're going to have an additional round of significant beach erosion, especially in that Sunday time period," he said.
Then, conditions are expected to warm up and dry out again, with another round of heat possible by the end of next week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a 14-day outlook that shows above average temperatures in the area through Oct. 21.
"Right now, it doesn't look nearly as extreme as what we just had, but it certainly does look elevated," Kittell said Wednesday.
Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: From dangerous heat to rain and flooding, what to expect this weekend
