Hot, humid and sticky weather could bring thunderstorms and flash flooding to the Santa Clarita Valley today.
“There’s quite a bit of monsoonal moisture that has been pushing up into our area in Southern California and you can tell by the increased humidity you can feel when you go outside,” said Jayme Laber, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service (NWS).
This monsoonal weather, including high moisture and temperatures, prompted the NWS to expand its Flash Flood Watch to include the Santa Clarita Valley beginning at 11 a.m. and continue to 9 p.m. this evening.
“A watch means conditions are conducive for thunderstorms to develop that can potentially create flash flooding,” Laber said.
The risk of flash flooding could especially impact Los Angeles County’s interior sections, according to the NWS.
Forecasts from the NWS indicate that the area will have a chance of showers, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the afternoon and evening with highs from 95 degrees to 101 degrees.
The high humidity and temperatures are expected to continue on Thursday with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, highs from 96 degrees to 102 degrees, and southwest winds at 10 to 20 miles per hour.
“Latest computer models indicate that the moisture will linger into Thursday night, especially in the mountains and the Antelope Valley, so the Flash Flood watch may have to be extended in some areas,” the NWS said.
The Department of Public Health also issued a Heat Alert for the Santa Clarita Valley until Thursday night, as high temperatures could pose dangers for adults, children and the elderly.
Relief is expected to hit the area Friday and continue throughout the weekend, with drier conditions and highs in the mid to upper 90s.
“After tomorrow we’ll feel the humidity start to drop and the weather will move to the east of us,” Laber said.
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