Southern California Braces for Cooler Temps, Rain

Scattered showers and gusty winds expected after warm weekend

Apr. 20, 2026 at 1:55am

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A dramatic, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of grey, blue, and gold, depicting a stormy sky with heavy clouds and rays of sunlight breaking through, dwarfing a small town in the distance, conveying the overwhelming power of nature.The impending storm system promises to bring a much-needed cooldown and chance of rain to the parched Southern California region.Los Angeles Today

After a warm weekend with blustery Santa Ana winds, Southern California is set to experience a significant cooldown with scattered showers and potential rain moving through the region starting Tuesday afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a CBS LA Next Weather Alert, with the heaviest rainfall expected in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Why it matters

The upcoming weather shift marks a notable change from the recent dry conditions in Southern California, potentially bringing some relief but also the risk of minor flooding in certain areas. The cooler temperatures and rain could impact daily routines and activities for residents across the region.

The details

Forecasters predict that Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties will see the heaviest rainfall, with anywhere between 0.50 inches and 1.5 inches expected. Other areas like Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange counties and the Inland Empire will see significantly less, with between 0.10 inches and 0.50 inches of rain. Temperatures are expected to drop by nearly 10 degrees from the warm weekend, with high 60s and low 70s for most of Southern California. The mountains and high desert regions may also experience strong gusts of wind between 45 and 50 miles per hour.

  • The rain is predicted to move in on Tuesday afternoon and last through the night.
  • The cooldown in temperatures is expected to arrive after a warm weekend.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather alerts and warnings.

CBS LA

The local CBS television news station serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

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What they’re saying

“There could be some 'minor nuisance flooding' in prone areas, like burn scars and mountain regions.”

— NWS officials

The takeaway

The upcoming weather shift in Southern California will provide a much-needed cooldown and chance of rain after a warm and dry period, though it also carries the potential for minor flooding in certain vulnerable areas.