After cool, mostly dry weekend in Southern California, another storm is on the way

After scattered showers dampened much of Southern California overnight and into Saturday, cool, dry weather is expected for the remainder of the weekend before another storm system moves in early next week.

About an inch and a half of rain fell over the San Bernardino Mountains on Friday, National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Adams said, as residents have continued to dig out from the snow dumped by February’s record-breaking storms.

As of Saturday morning, there were no reports of new damage or flooding and no calls for service or emergencies, according to San Bernardino County Fire Protection District spokesperson Eric Sherwin.

In anticipation of next week’s storm, Sherwin said, the county’s Office of Emergency Services ordered sandbags, and extra fire resources would remain in place in the mountain communities.

Highway 38 reopened in both directions from Mentone to Big Bear late Friday, but Highway 18, between Highway 138 and Waterman Road, remained closed as Caltrans crews continued their work clearing rockslide debris and snow from the road.

SR-38 will open in both directions, to all, from Mentone to Big Bear at 10 p.m. tonight 3/10/23. Chains not required, but should be with you as weather conditions can change rapidly. Please note, this route could close due to emergency operations at any time. #Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/EtCj8T0Eq3

— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) March 11, 2023

Below the mountains, other Inland Empire communities including Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga received around an inch of rain, Adams said.

“This was a pretty plain rain event that rolled through,” he said.

Coastline communities received about an inch of rain while a few inland areas received a little over two inches, including Porter Ranch in Los Angeles County.

A rock slide near the Morris Dam Reservoir led to the closure of Highway 39’s northbound lanes on Saturday, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Crews were working to clear the debris from the road.

Road Closure due to rock slide

HWY 39 is temporarily closed going Northbound

For the latest closure updates: https://t.co/4baWnDF1Cb

— LA County Public Works (@LACoPublicWorks) March 11, 2023

A second, slightly larger storm system is expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon, delivering showers of 1 to 3 inches of rain over the coast, and 3 to 5 inches over the mountains and valleys, Adams said. Winds of 25 to 35 mph are possible, with gusts of up to 60 mph in the mountains.

“This storm has the potential for moderate to heavy rain across the San Bernardino mountains,” Adams said.

“We’re expecting this system to be stronger than this past storm,” he said, referring to the rain Friday night into Saturday morning.

In Los Angeles, the eastern San Gabriel Mountains were expected to take the brunt of the storm, with 3 to 6 inches of rain, said NWS meteorologist Kristan Lund.

The storm will continue through Wednesday evening before moving on, with clear skies and cool temperatures expected on Thursday and Friday.