New storm set to hit Southern California Sunday night, bringing more rain

After a weekend reprieve, more rain is expected to hit Southern California late Sunday through Monday.

However, it is not expected to be as strong a storm as this week’s soaker, which closed freeways and caused flooding.

Meteorologist Carol Smith said the new storm is expected to drop only half an inch of rain in the coastal and mountain regions of Los Angeles County before it moves out by Tuesday, giving way to mostly clear skies just in time for New Year’s celebrations. Up the coast, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo could get more rain, while central Los Angeles is expected to get only 1/20 of an inch.

Smith said snow could affect travel leading up to New Year’s Day.

After being closed for much of Friday due to snow, the Grapevine was back open Saturday. But Smith said that Sunday night could bring another 4 inches of snow, with 35 mph wind gusts starting early Monday morning and continuing into early Tuesday.

“Even if you get 4 inches on a major interstate like that, it’s not good for travel,” she said, adding that drivers should be prepared with chains and warm clothes and check back for possible weather advisories.

This week’s storm dumped an inch to 3.5 inches of rain across Los Angeles County over the course of two days. Alhambra received a solid soaking, with 3.46 inches — the highest in the region — while South Gate and Pasadena received 3.02 inches and 2.91 inches, respectively. The storm dumped 1.75 inches on downtown Los Angeles during the same period, according to the National Weather Service.

In Orange County, Huntington Beach received the most rain, getting 2.48 inches during the 12-hour period ending at 8 a.m. Thursday, according to the weather service.

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Corona del Mar also got a soaking, with 2.12 inches of rain recorded during that period. Parts of Laguna Beach also neared the 2-inch mark. Costa Mesa received 1.65 inches of rain, and 1.74 inches fell at John Wayne Airport, the weather service reported.

The storm also sent rocks sliding onto Laguna Canyon Road near Canyon Acres Drive in Laguna Beach early Thursday, damaging a vehicle. Laguna Canyon Road between El Toro Road and Canyon Acres will be closed until 2 p.m. Friday as crews work on stabilizing the hillside.