Southern California is facing a significant possibility of a wet Halloween weekend, with meteorologists predicting a 90% chance of rain across the region between Friday and November 2. This forecast could disrupt traditional outdoor celebrations and trick-or-treating.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles has indicated that Halloween activities are likely to be impacted by the incoming storm. While the exact timing and intensity remain uncertain, steady to heavy downpours are possible, particularly on Halloween night.
"It looks like it will be a wet Halloween holiday weekend," Rich Thompson, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard, told the LA Times. He added, "It's the first [Halloween] in a while that could actually be wet."
Los Angeles last experienced rainfall on Halloween in 2014, when a quarter-inch of rain was recorded in downtown. Prior to that, the holiday saw rain in 2003 and 1987. The current forecast suggests a break in a streak of mostly dry Halloweens for the city.
Forecasters describe the potential storm as likely being moderate in strength, but they have not ruled out the possibility of a stronger system. Residents are advised to monitor weather updates as the holiday approaches.
In addition to the rain threat, Southern California's coastal communities are also bracing for unusually high tides this week. The highest tides are expected Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings, with water levels potentially rising several feet above normal. This phenomenon increases the risk of coastal flooding and erosion along the shoreline.