Southern California might experience a wet Halloween this year, with predictions suggesting that Los Angeles could see its first rainfall on October 31 in over ten years.
The National Weather Service has indicated that the likelihood of precipitation during the Halloween weekend is increasing, estimating a 90% chance of rain in parts of the region from Friday through November 2. This potential downpour may disrupt trick-or-treating and outdoor celebrations.
“Unfortunately, the chances for rain on Halloween are increasing,” the National Weather Service in Los Angeles noted on Wednesday.
According to Rich Thompson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, “It appears that this Halloween weekend will be rainy.”
While the precise timing and areas affected by the rain remain unclear, meteorologists believe there could be steady to heavy rainfall, especially on Halloween night.
“Activities planned for Halloween could be impacted,” the weather service elaborated. “At this moment, we expect a moderate storm in terms of strength and impacts, with a slim chance of it being a more severe event.”
Thompson mentioned that this could be the first wet Halloween in many years. The last time Los Angeles saw rain on Halloween was in 2014, when downtown recorded a quarter-inch of rain. Before that, the city had a dry streak that lasted until 2003 when approximately half an inch fell. The record for Halloween rain was set back in 1987 with 1.39 inches.
This potential storm could indeed break a long stretch of dry Halloweens, although forecasters advise that conditions may still evolve as the day approaches.
Until Friday, Southern California is expected to enjoy fairly mild weather. However, coastal communities are facing another concern this week due to exceptionally high tides, which pose risks of flooding and erosion.
The highest tides in the area are anticipated on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings, when sea levels may rise several feet above typical high tide marks.
