Yet another storm is predicted to arrive in Long Beach Wednesday, following in the footsteps of last week\u2019s atmospheric river and bringing cloudy skies, waterlogged streets and traffic tie-ups right in time for New Year\u2019s.<\/p>\n
The impacts are expected to be minor, at least when compared to the rains last week<\/a> that brought more than 3.25 inches to the city and forced a state of emergency<\/a> across the region. But there will be enough rainfall to dampen New Year\u2019s Eve celebrations and frustrate local travelers.<\/p>\n Forecasters with the National Weather Service say the storm is charting up from the south along Mexico\u2019s western coast in a path typical of summer tropical storms. On its current path, it should arrive sometime between late Tuesday and early Wednesday, bringing showers that will intensify through the latter evening.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a big blob of moisture down there off of Mexico that\u2019s going to be leaning our way,\u201d said Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the NWS. \u201cIt does look like on New Year\u2019s Day it\u2019s going to be pretty soggy for most of the Los Angeles area, Long Beach included.\u201d<\/p>\n The intensity of rainfall will depend on how close the storm comes to the city on its course north, Wofford said. Rain could fall at a rate of one-tenth to one-fifth of an inch per hour, with some areas of the city expected to see worse conditions, and a total of up to 3 inches through Saturday. Thunderstorms are not expected, and there is a minuscule chance for mudslides along sloped roads. Wind speeds should not exceed 20 mph.<\/p>\n Flooding remains possible, especially in low-lying intersections and underpasses, as well as in neighborhoods with poor drainage. With the heavier rains last Wednesday, firefighters responded to more than a dozen calls of downed power lines, and at least one report of flooding on a residential street.<\/p>\n The oncoming storm shouldn\u2019t affect operations at the city airport, as the rain usually sweeps away any ground fog. A spokesperson there said stormy conditions last week led to some flooding on Wednesday morning in the outdoor concourse area but didn\u2019t affect flights. Flooding subsided after clearing blocked drains.<\/p>\n This week\u2019s wet weather will last through Saturday, when showers are expected to become sporadic that night into Sunday. The high temperature throughout the city should be in the mid-60s and drop into the upper 40s during the night and early mornings, according to the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n It\u2019s another storm that will only solidify this as a wetter-than-normal winter.<\/p>\n