Rain Forecast for the Weekend

As much as 2 inches of rain is forecast this weekend for Ventura County’s mountains and up to an inch is expected in coastal and inland cities, weather officials said Friday.

A storm picking up speed and moving south from Alaska is expected to arrive late Saturday and bring rainfall through early Sunday evening, said Dolores Taylor, senior hydrologist for the county’s flood control office.

“It will be a gentle rain to begin with, but between noon and 3 p.m. on Sunday” heavy rain will hit, she said.

During those three hours, Taylor said up to half an inch could fall in the county’s mountains and a quarter-inch in beach and inland areas.

Storm totals in those areas could reach 2 inches and 1 inch, respectively.

Low temperatures countywide are expected to average in the mid-40s and the highs should reach the mid-60s, forecasters said.

The heaviest rainfall is expected to be in Upper Ojai and Matilija Dam, Taylor said.

No major runoff is expected in the mountains, but the snow level could dip to 4,500 feet.

Despite rainfall being normal for this time of year, Taylor said the county has two ongoing construction projects in the Arroyo Simi in Simi Valley--a stretch known to swell in heavy rains.

“The contractor and the inspector are out there wringing their hands,” Taylor said.

Rainfall nearing an inch could heavily damage the construction sites, Taylor added.

The first day of November marks the official beginning of the storm season. Historically each year, the county has at least one storm in November that drops at least 2 inches of rain, Taylor said.