Weekend Rain Expected Across Southern California

Light rain fell on the Southland today but the region is due for a bout of heavier, steadier rainfall Saturday, forecasters said.

"Motorists should be alert for slick roadways due to the combination of oil and rainfall,'' warned a National Weather Service advisory.

Today's rain is the result of a cold front expected to weaken as it moves south, producing only scattered showers through this evening, according to the NWS, which forecast stronger rainfall late Saturday morning as a result of a second cold front that also will trigger showers through the evening.

A weak third cold front on Sunday is not expected to generate rain as far south as the Greater L.A. area, NWS forecasters said.

Precipitation totals resulting from the three cold fronts will range from between a tenth and a half-inch of rain, with the higher amounts expected in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, according to an NWS advisory.

South and southwest-facing mountain slopes could see higher rain totals.

"The rainfall this weekend may produce ponding of water in low-lying and poorly drained areas,'' according to the advisory.

No significant snow accumulation is expected in the Southland this weekend because the snow level will remain above 7,000 feet, it said.

The NWS forecast highs today of 56 on Mount Wilson; 65 in Palmdale, Lancaster and at LAX; 66 in Avalon and Saugus; 67 in Long Beach and Burbank; 68 in Avalon, San Gabriel, Woodland Hills and Newport Beach; and 69 in Pasadena.

Temperatures will be marginally lower Saturday and dip a fraction more Sunday amid mostly cloudy skies but will revert to today's levels on Monday, when partly cloudy skies are expected.

NWS forecasters say sunny weather will return Tuesday, when highs will be 72 in downtown L.A. and 70 in Woodland Hills.