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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Rain is on the way and forecasters are warning Thursday that the incoming storm could lead to floods and more snow in mountain communities still trying to dig out of the last storm.
It will be cool and windy Thursday in Los Angeles and Orange counties with gusty conditions in the deserts and mountains through Saturday. There is a chance of rain on Friday and snow levels will be at 9,000 feet. West winds between 30 and 40 mph are in the forecast across the mountains, desert slopes and passes. Gusts will be strongest through the San Gorgonio Pass, the National Weather Service said.
The heaviest rainfall will arrive Friday evening and Saturday, according to forecasters. A main concern is rain falling on a large snowpack in the mountains. Melted snow and rainfall runoff could result in flooding, according to the NWS, and lead to damage to property, structures and roads in mountain communities below 7,000 feet. Above 8,000 feet, 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected.
There are avalanche warnings in place for elevations above 5,000 feet.
It will be mostly cloudy in parts of Los Angeles County. Highs will be around 70 in Los Angeles and there is a 20% chance of rain after midnight. It will be cloudy and windy with highs between 66 and 70 in parts of Orange County.