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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A storm system was advancing toward Southern California Friday and is expected to give the Southland a wet Easter weekend.
The "unseasonably cold and vigorous storm system" is expected to bring rain to most areas, including a chance of thunderstorms, along with mountain snow, according to the National Weather Service.
The cold front is expected to reach the Central Coast Friday afternoon, moving in Ventura County sometime after midnight then affecting Los Angeles County "around dawn" Saturday.
"The front should push east of L.A. County late Saturday morning," according to the NWS. "The cold upper low will then approach and slowly swing through the area Saturday afternoon through Sunday."
The storm will be accompanied by gusty winds and the possibility of thunderstorms Saturday night into Sunday, with the best chances on Sunday.
"These thunderstorms on Sunday could produce small hail, gusty winds, frequent lightning and possibly even a small tornado or waterspout," according to the NWS.
Rain totals of 1 to 3 inches are anticipated in coastal and valley areas, with as much as 3 to 6 inches possible along some south-facing mountain slopes.
The NWS issued a flood watch that will be in effect Friday evening through Sunday afternoon covering the bulk of the Southland, noting that "excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, urban areas, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations."
One to two feet of snow could fall at elevations above 6,000 feet, "with even higher amounts at the highest peaks," forecasters said.
"Snow levels should remain above the Grapevine but there is a 10 percent chance of a snow burst under a thunderstorm," according to the NWS. "Wind gusts from 60 to 65 mph will pummel the mountains as well but they will diminish Saturday afternoon."
A winter storm warning will be in effect from 2 a.m. Saturday through 11 p.m. Sunday for the San Gabriel Mountains and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors, with forecasters warning that "travel could be very difficult to impossible."
High temperatures Friday were expected to top out in the mid-60s in many areas, and the upper 50s in others. Forecasters said it will be colder on Saturday and Sunday, with most areas not getting out of the 50s.
"There is a small chance (20 percent) the trough will not move fast enough to end the shower activity over L.A. County by dawn Monday," according to the NWS. "Any lingering showers will not make much of an impact at all. Otherwise, Monday will see clearing skies and warming temperatures as early April sunshine shines on the area."
Temperatures will warm slightly -- as much as 10 degrees in some areas -- by Monday, "but maximum temperatures will still end up 4 to 8 degrees below normal."