Los Angeles Weather Today: Atmospheric River to Bring Rare SoCal Downpours—Timing, Impacts & Safety Tips

Angelenos woke up Wednesday, Feb. 18, to blue skies and brisk temperatures after an overnight storm dumped up to 0.50 in (13 mm) of rain across the basin while mountain communities collected fresh snow and gusts topped 40 mph. At 7 a.m. downtown Los Angeles registered 55 °F (13 °C) with 57 % humidity under clear conditions—ideal for the morning commute but chilly in the shade. Daytime highs will struggle to reach the mid-50s, running nearly 10 degrees below the normal February average of 64 °F. Short-term forecast • Tonight: Lows dip to the lower 40s in the valleys and upper 30s in outlying suburbs; patchy frost is possible in the Antelope Valley. • Thursday: A weak trough brushes the coast, sparking spotty showers before dawn, then partly cloudy skies with another cool high near 55 °F. • Friday–Sunday: A warming trend builds as high pressure settles overhead. Expect 57 °F Friday, lower 60s Saturday, and a spring-like 68–70 °F by Sunday afternoon. Extended outlook models keep the ridge in place through early next week, allowing downtown readings to flirt with the low 70s Monday and Tuesday while keeping rain chances near zero. Impacts & safety tips • Roads: Even though skies have cleared, residual moisture and fallen leaves can create slick spots on canyon roads—slow down and increase following distance. • Burn scars: Recent downpours may have loosened soil; stay alert for rockfalls when hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains. • Air quality: Offshore flow late week should scour smog, but wood-burning restrictions remain in effect tonight to limit fine-particulate pollution. • Surf: West-northwest swell peaks at 5–7 ft today, gradually lowering to 3–4 ft by Saturday; heed posted advisories. Bottom line: The worst of the winter storm has passed, leaving Southern California with crisp, cool sunshine today and a gradual warm-up just in time for the weekend. Keep a jacket handy this morning, but plan for sunglasses—and finally, some patio dining—by Sunday as Los Angeles weather shifts from stormy to spectacular.