The steady rain falling across South Pasadena since early Sunday morning is Hurricane Marie’s calling card — tropical moisture flung hundreds of miles ahead of a storm whose center never got closer than well offshore. Expect on-and-off showers through the afternoon and into this evening, a possible thunderstorm, then a hard pivot: sunny skies for Labor Day and a surge to near 100 degrees by midweek.
Sunday Rain
The National Weather Service forecast for the Pasadena and South Pasadena area, updated at 9:11 AM, puts today’s rain chance at 90 percent with a high near 83. Thunderstorms are possible after 11 AM — forecasters put the chance at about 15 percent for Los Angeles County. Expected local totals are a quarter to a half inch, and a weather service bulletin says widespread totals of a quarter inch to an inch are likely across much of Los Angeles County, with the heaviest rain favoring the foothill and mountain communities. Some areas picked up a tenth of an inch per half hour in the morning’s heavier bands.
Showers taper this evening — the chance drops to 20 percent after dark and skies gradually clear overnight, with a muggy low around 69.
This is the first measurable rain in months, which means slick roads as accumulated oil lifts off the pavement. Give extra following distance, and expect ponding where storm drains are clogged with a summer’s worth of debris.
Hurricane Marie’s Status
As of Saturday afternoon, Hurricane Marie was about 815 nautical miles south-southwest of Los Angeles, tracking northwest to north and weakening. The National Hurricane Center expects it to become a post-tropical remnant low by Wednesday. Its remnant moisture could still support isolated showers or thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday, mainly over the mountains.
Forecast: Back to the heat this week, after Sunday’s warm soaker:
Labor Day: Sunny, high 91. A fine holiday — dry by morning.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, 94. Isolated mountain showers can’t be ruled out.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, 97.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, 96.
Friday: Sunny, 92.
Saturday: Sunny, 87.
Overnight lows hold near 70 through midweek — warm, humid nights that don’t give houses much chance to cool. That is a roughly 15-degree swing from today’s high in three days: anyone sensitive to heat should plan now for Wednesday and Thursday, and today’s rain is no reason to skip watering deep-rooted plants later in the week.
Beaches Still Dangerous Through Tuesday
The ocean remains the most serious hazard of Marie’s passage. High surf and coastal flood advisories continue, with 5- to 8-foot waves on south-facing beaches and some sets near 10 feet through Monday. Potentially deadly rip currents, strong harbor surges, and moderate coastal flooding with beach erosion are expected at vulnerable south-facing beaches; some coastal communities have already seen wave-driven flooding. Dangerous swimming conditions last through Tuesday night. Swim near a lifeguard, keep children at the water’s edge, and stay off rock jetties.
