Skies to keep pouring it on

Leslie Bruce

Just as Newport-Mesa residents thought it was safe to leave their

homes, yet another storm system will plow through Southern California

this weekend, bringing threats of flooding and high surf.

A high-surf advisory will be in effect from 10 a.m. today until 10

a.m. Sunday, and a flash flood watch is in effect through Tuesday

afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Although the National Weather Service predicts 7- to 10-foot waves

with some sets exceeding 14 feet Friday afternoon, Surfline

forecaster Charlie Fox does not predict a swarm of surfers to Orange

County beaches.

“It’s just going to be a mess,” Fox said of the upcoming storm.

“It’s going to be all whitecaps when you look out there, nonstop

.... It’s just basically some junk surfing.” Although the storm

system is good news for mountain resorts, it is not so great for

coastline residents.

The storm is expected to double the average precipitation for

January -- 2 1/2 inches -- by Saturday night, according to National

Weather Service forecasts.

Rainfall totals on Friday alone are expected to reach 2 1/2

inches, said Brad Doyle of the National Weather Service in San Diego.

“For Saturday we are expecting just as much, if not more,” Doyle

said.

In addition to the high winds, hail and isolated water spouts,

there is a “real possibility of rock slides and mudslides” because

the ground remains so saturated from the previous systems, Doyle

said.

Furthermore, coastal flooding will likely accompany this storm and

threaten beachfront residents’ homes.

“If they see their beach is short, they should take the necessary

precautions,” Fox warned.

While surfboards are likely to stay inside this weekend,

snowboards will pound the San Bernardino slopes.

Ten inches of snow is expected this weekend at Bear Mountain and

Snow Summit, according to the National Weather Service.