Moisture From Linda to Dot Southwest US This Weekend, Soak Southern California Early Next Week

By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

September 12,2015; 9:47PM,EDT

 

 

Spotty thunderstorms will continue across the southwestern U.S., through the weekend before moisture from Linda brings a soaking rain to Southern California next week.
According to AccuWeather Meteorologist Edward Vallee, "Some moisture from Linda will give the mountains the chance for some showers and thunderstorms through the weekend."

Flash Flooding Inundates Southern California

Thunderstorms this weekend will not produce enough rain to put a dent into the extreme drought across California. This drought, however, will continue to enhance wildfire opportunities.
Any developing thunderstorm could also lead to localized areas of flash flooding.
Any thunderstorm over the mountains of California this weekend could spark a new wildfire due to the extreme heat currently across the region.
This current stretch of heat is responsible for the development of wildfires this week in California, including the rapidly expanding Butte Fire in central California.
Lightning can reach temperatures of 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit which can easily set any dry vegetation on fire.

For those hoping to get a break from the heat, relief is in store into early next week.
According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Western U.S. Expert Ken Clark, "As the upper-level ridge that provided the heat this week gives way to a developing trough along the West Coast, marine air will become more dominant and lead to a gradual cooldown into the middle of next week."

Temperatures into next week will be more seasonable for the middle of September. Temperatures will range from the 80s in the Central Valley to the 70s to near 80 along the Coastal Ranges.
Along with a stretch of more seasonable conditions, an area of low pressure associated with the remnants of Linda will move onshore early next week, bringing welcome rainfall to Southern California.
"The remnants of Linda will get transported into Southern California into early next week, bringing the opportunity for some much-needed rainfall," Vallee said.
"It is unusual for this time of the year, especially in Southern California, for a storm system to track into Southern California from the Pacific," Clark said.

There is the potential for a soaking rain to fall across portions of Southern California with rainfall totals nearing an inch. Even with this amount of rain, the extreme drought will continue.
"By Monday night into Tuesday, rain could impact much of Southern California, including Los Angeles and San Diego," Vallee said.
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This moisture from Linda will only impact a small portion of the state. Much of central and northern California will miss out on any chance for a soaking rainfall.
This rain could lead to game delays or postponements at Dodger Stadium on Monday night as the Dodgers battle with the Colorado Rockies.