A winter-like storm is headed for Southern California, with rain likely over Easter weekend

Partly cloudy midweek skies and warmth will give way to a rainy Easter weekend in Southern California as another cold winter-like storm moves down the West Coast.

After a fairly warm Wednesday, with temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s, Southern Californians can expect wind gusts between 20 to 30 mph on Thursday and Friday, with temperature highs ranging from the 50s in the Inland Empire to the upper 50s and near 60s in Orange County by the weekend.

The storm is expected to bring rain on Saturday, along with showers and possible thunderstorms Sunday across Orange County and the Inland Empire. Both areas are likely to see roughly 1 to 2 inches of rain over the weekend, with a lot of that rainfall anticipated during a period of steady and heavy rain on Saturday morning.

That will be followed by cold, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms from Saturday evening to Sunday, National Weather Service Meteorologist Mark Moede said.

Communities near the San Bernardino County Mountain foothills, including Crestline, Wrightwood, and Lake Arrowhead could see 3 to 5 inches of rain. Areas 6500 feet and above, such as Big Bear City, may experience 6 to 12 inches of heavy, wet snow, Moede said.

In Los Angeles County, expect temperatures in the 60s with some morning cloud and clearer skies before the winter-like storm is expected to move in Friday night and through the weekend. A “good 24-hours of pretty steady rain” is expected Friday through Saturday evening, with a chance of thunderstorms by Saturday afternoon, National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Wofford said.

Lighter, scattered showers are anticipated Sunday. Temperatures will remain between 55 to 60 degrees over the weekend.

The Los Angeles County Mountains could see 3 to 5 inches of rain, as well as light snow at 5,000 to 5,500 feet, with roughly 1 to 2 feet of snow at areas above 6,000 feet, Wofford said.