The “coldest storm of the season, and possibly the last several years,” is forecasted for Long Beach and much of Southern California later this week, according to the National Weather Service.

Before significant rainfall and lower temperatures arrive late in the week, gale-force winds, gusting between 35-45 knots, along with high surf, are expected along the coastline from Tuesday through Wednesday evening.

While the Weather Service advises estimated rain totals are greatly dependent on the storm track, which might change, the current model suggests Long Beach could receive over half an inch of rain between Wednesday morning and Saturday morning.

In Long Beach, daytime temperatures are expected to remain in the 50s, dropping into the mid-40s overnight during the storm, but in parts of Los Angeles County and Southern California, snow flurries are possible, including in Ojai, the Antelope Valley and across the coastal foothills.

Another potential rainstorm is in the long-range forecast for Long Beach the following week, from Tuesday, Feb. 28 into Thursday, March 2.

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