Fast-Moving Storm Could Bring Inch of Rain

Don’t put those sweaters away yet.

Another cold Pacific storm is expected to bring up to an inch of rain to Ventura County’s valleys and coastal areas today and could drop snow levels as low as 2,000 feet by this evening, forecasters said Monday.

Showers will cover the region throughout the day, dropping as much as 2 inches in mountainous regions, but will begin to taper off by evening, according to meteorologist Bill Hoffer at the National Weather Service in Oxnard. The quick-moving storm will also bring brisk winds of up to 25 mph in populated areas and up to 30 mph in the mountains, Hoffer said. Highs will be in the low to mid-50s today, dropping to the 40s tonight. The windchill factor could drop temperatures as low as 15 below zero in the mountains tonight, he said.

Motorists driving to the mountains are advised to carry chains and expect up to 6 inches of snow, Hoffer said.

Storm clouds will start moving out Wednesday morning, but temperatures will remain chilly, with highs in the mid-50s. The long-range forecast calls for partly cloudy skies on Thursday, with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s.

Friday will be mostly clear, with light breezes and highs in the low 70s in coastal areas to near 80s in inland valleys.