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Light rain fell on the Southland today, a mere hint of the predicted four storms set to arrive on Tuesday, bringing with them “torrents of mud and debris over slopes denuded by wildfire,” according to City News Service. National Weather Service forecasters say this week’s weather is part of the El Niño effect caused by warmer Pacific waters.

While rainfall totals throughout Monday are expected to reach a 10th and a third of an inch, Tuesday’s storm may bring an average of two inches in coastal areas. Long Beach and coastal residents should be advised of high surf, as the storms expected on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be generating swells of their own, according to NWS Meteorologist Curt Kaplan.

A high surf advisory will be in effect in Los Angeles County until Thursday at 10:00PM. while in Orange County, a high surf advisory will go into effect at 4:00PM Monday through Friday at 10:00PM. The NWS warned that Tuesday’s storm could also trigger flash flooding, especially for Western-facing beaches on Tuesday and Wednesday when a large swell arrives.

“The overall pattern that is bringing us these storms is finally looking like what we would expect the El Niño pattern to look like that it so far hasn’t this summer,” stated John Dumas, science and operations officer for the NWS.

Two to four inches of rain are expected to fall in the foothills and mountains, according to CNS. Rainfall totals could surpass a half-inch an hour over recent burn areas, including the site of the Solimar Fire in Ventura County. Residents living in these areas should closely monitor weather reports and prep with sandbags.

Also this week, approximately two feet of new snow is forecast in the mountains above 6,000 feet. The snow may cause hazardous driving conditions next week in the mountain areas across The Grapevine.

The NWS forecast showers and 64 degree temperatures in Long Beach today.

For safe driving tips for this upcoming wet week (and wet winter), click here. To learn more about and sign up for the city’s AlertLongBeach system, click here.