Los Angeles may see rain on Halloween for the first time in 12 years

Southern California weather patterns shift this weekend as an October storm system approaches the region.

NBC4 Meteorologist Shanna Mendiola stated that clouds and elements from the sky replace the recent tidal conditions. She noted a potential for showers on Friday, with rain likely returning during the Halloween weekend. If precipitation falls on Saturday, Los Angeles would experience its first wet Halloween since 2014.

Forecasters face uncertainty regarding the precise arrival time of the rain. Two major meteorological models offer conflicting timelines as of Wednesday evening. The European Model, known as ECMWF, projects light showers on Friday followed by the main band of rain arriving Saturday night into Sunday. In contrast, the American Model, referred to as GFS, places the rain arrival on Sunday.

Mendiola explained that the models tend to converge as the system approaches, allowing for more accurate timing predictions. Despite the discrepancy in arrival times, she confirmed that rain will occur during the weekend. The conflicting data leaves local residents without a definitive schedule for when the heaviest precipitation will hit.

Temperatures in the Southland are expected to decline through the weekend. The cooling trend accompanies the incoming moisture. This marks a departure from the recent dry conditions that have characterized the early fall season in the area.