Mid-80s temps forecast for Southern California after Halloween storms

Temperatures in Southern California are expected to climb back into the mid-80s by the end of this week, following a weekend of Halloween storms that brought rain to most of the region. The National Weather Service forecasts generally dry conditions and seasonal temperatures through Thursday.

Beach hazard warnings remain in effect along the coast until Monday at 6 p.m. These alerts account for gusty west winds and a southern swell that created choppy seas over the weekend. Forecasters predict calmer ocean conditions for Tuesday and Wednesday, but a new pattern of northwest swells from the north Pacific is likely to impact the coastline starting Thursday and peaking on Saturday.

The weekend rain triggered flood advisories in Ventura, Orange, and San Diego counties on Saturday night. Despite the alerts, the region avoided major flash floods or mudslides, according to the National Weather Service. Precipitation levels varied by location. Most of the Los Angeles coast and metro area received between a quarter of an inch and an inch of rain. Downtown Los Angeles recorded an average of 0.7 inches.

Isolated areas saw heavier totals. Alhambra in the San Gabriel Valley recorded about an inch and a half of rain, among the highest totals in the Los Angeles Basin. The corridor linking Ventura, Oxnard, and Point Mugu State Park also received significant precipitation, with most of that area logging between half an inch and an inch and a half. San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties saw a quarter to three-quarters of an inch of rain across coastal and inland zones, with higher amounts in mountainous regions.

Devin Black, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, noted that the rain cleared across Southern California by late Sunday. He stated that the region should see generally dry conditions with seasonal temperatures through Thursday. Weak to moderate Santa Ana winds may follow, creating a low to moderate heat risk into the weekend as a low pressure ridge builds and inland winds warm the air.

Paul Steward, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego, said temperatures could reach the mid-80s by week's end. He indicated that wet weather might return the following week. Steward added that the storms did not cause major new erosion problems, though areas affected by recent wave events likely saw minor impacts. Black described the return of wet weather in mid-November as uncertain, noting that some weather models suggest it is possible.