A storm system swept toward Southern California on Friday, March 29, as residents braced for a wet Easter weekend.
The “unseasonably cold and vigorous storm system” was expected to bring rain to most areas, including a chance of thunderstorms, along with mountain snow, according to the National Weather Service. Community and church leaders scrambled in response, preparing to move events indoors, erect tents and other covers outdoors for folks attending outdoor services or other activities or postpone events until skies clear anew.
In Hermosa Beach, where a traditional Easter sunrise service is planned, Father Paul Gawlowski, pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church said it would take gusty winds or lightning on the coast to prevent him from celebrating on Sunday. And, fortunately, he said, neither of those was predicted.
Many hoped the worst of the rain would work its way through the area before Easter Sunday, steering clear of sunrise Masses and other religious services. Most of the heavy showers were expected to fall Saturday morning, followed by cold, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms from Saturday evening to Sunday, National Weather Service Meteorologist Mark Moede said.
The Our Lady service, which takes place south of the Hermosa Beach pier, draws as many as 1,000 participants each Easter, said Gawlowski. The pastor and his altar will be protected, nonetheless. A crew will come in about an hour before the 6 a.m. service, said office manager Jamie Ramirez, to set up a tent over the altar area.
Gawlowski said it hasn’t rained on Easter Sunrise service in the six years he’s been at the parish. But, predecessors told him that one year a light mist did manage to dampen just about everyone and everything.
Ramirez and her staff are checking the weather forecast every day, she added, and they are fielding a lot of phone calls with people asking if the service will still happen.
“It is!,” she tells them. “Just bring your umbrellas!”
But, Ramirez, said, she’s heard the worst of the rain will occur on Saturday and that by 6 a.m. on Easter Sunday, worshipers will see the sun.
“We’re just hopeful that people will come and just really want to celebrate with us,” Ramirez said.
Gawlowski, upon hearing Ramirez’s hopeful forecast, said “she’s a woman of deep faith.”
“On Saturday Easter Vigil we sprinkle people with Holy Water,” he said. “If it rains Sunday, think of it as God sprinkling Holy Water on us.”
The cold front is expected to reach the Central Coast Friday afternoon, moving in Ventura County sometime after midnight then affecting Los Angeles County “around dawn” Saturday.
“The front should push east of L.A. County late Saturday morning,” according to the NWS. “The cold upper low will then approach and slowly swing through the area Saturday afternoon through Sunday.”
The storm will be accompanied by gusty winds and the possibility of thunderstorms Saturday night into Sunday, with the best chances on Sunday.
“These thunderstorms on Sunday could produce small hail, gusty winds, frequent lightning and possibly even a small tornado or waterspout,” according to the NWS.
Rain totals of 1 to 3 inches are anticipated in coastal and valley areas, with as much as 3 to 6 inches possible along some south-facing mountain slopes.
The NWS issued a flood watch that will be in effect Friday evening through Sunday afternoon covering the bulk of the Southland, noting that “excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, urban areas, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.”
One to two feet of snow could fall at elevations above 6,000 feet, “with even higher amounts at the highest peaks,” forecasters said.
“Snow levels should remain above the Grapevine but there is a 10 percent chance of a snow burst under a thunderstorm,” according to the NWS. “Wind gusts from 60 to 65 mph will pummel the mountains as well but they will diminish Saturday afternoon.”
A winter storm warning will be in effect from 2 a.m. Saturday through 11 p.m. Sunday for the San Gabriel Mountains and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors, with forecasters warning that “travel could be very difficult to impossible.”
High temperatures Friday were expected to top out in the mid-60s in many areas, and the upper 50s in others. Forecasters said it will be colder on Saturday and Sunday, with most areas not getting out of the 50s.
“There is a small chance (20%) the trough will not move fast enough to end the shower activity over L.A. County by dawn Monday,” according to the NWS. “Any lingering showers will not make much of an impact at all. Otherwise, Monday will see clearing skies and warming temperatures as early April sunshine shines on the area.”
Temperatures will warm slightly — as much as 10 degrees in some areas — by Monday, “but maximum temperatures will still end up 4 to 8 degrees below normal.”
The forecast had already taken its toll on event organizers by Friday, as some activities were moved indoors, rescheduled, postponed or cancelled. Others will muddle on, rain or shine.
The centennial anniversary of Forest Lawn Memorial Park’s Easter sunrise services would go on but would be moved indoors at all six of its memorial parks, according to an announcement on the mortuaries website. More information: forestlawn.com/events/easter-sunrise-service/
In San Pedro, organizers of the “Eggstravaganza” festival were scrambling Friday to find alternative places for the events planned on Seventh Street downtown on Saturday. The festival, between Mesa and Centre streets, features vendors, booths, restaurants, small businesses and an Easter bunny.
Organizers hoped to evade the morning storms by holding their event from noon to 4 p.m. and said they will likely move the Easter Bunny inside into one of the shops such as Styled by Soluna.
In Pomona, leaders at Purpose Church on 586 N Main St. set up tents so they could move forward with its Easter services and baptisms. More information: purposechurch.com/easter/.
Riverside Parks and Recreation Department’s 100-year-plus tradition of holding interdemoninational Easter services on top of Mount Rudidoux would not be disrupted, according to the city. Officials said they would monitor the weather and adjust per need. Pastor Derrick Anderson of 2nd Chance Ministries confirmed that Sunday’s sunrise services would take take place at 6 a.m., rain or shine. Attendees should allow 45 minutes to walk up to the service, officials said. For more information: riversideeasterservice.com/when-how.
In Ontario, the Grand Ontario Egg Hunt would carry on Saturday, rain or shine, according to the city. The event, usually held in city parks, is scheduled for from 10 a.m. to noon. If it rains, according to the city, there are plans to hide the giant eggs, which can be redeemed for prizes, in various indoor locations. More information: ontarioca.gov/specialevents.
The city of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Stadium cancelled Saturday’s Bunny Brunch and VIP Egg Hunt. They’ll issue refunds back to the purchaser’s original payment method, according to the city’s website.
Instead, Pasadena is hosting a makeup event titled “Hop into Spring” on Tuesday, April 2 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. This event will include an open house, mini egg hunt on the field and photo opportunities with the bunny. All guests must register in advance at Bit.ly/HopIntoSpring2024. Information: cityofpasadena.net.
Santa Anita Park cancelled racing on Saturday and Sunday, and moved its Santa Anita Spring Carnival to Thursday, April 4 and Friday, April 5. The Easter Egg Hunt was rescheduled to Sunday, April 7. Racing will resume Thursday April 4. Information: santaanita.com/plan/.
In Garden Grove, the Eggscavation event was canceled, but full refunds will be issued, officials said. Goody bags, however were handed out on Thursday and Friday. And the Easter Bunny planned to appear at the Garden Grove Sports & Recreation Center, 13641 Deodara Drive, on Saturday from 2-5 p.m. More information: (714) 741-5200 or ggcity.org/eggscavation.
Huntington Beach officials rescheduled Saturday’s Easter Hunt & Family Fun Day to Saturday, April 27, at the Huntington Sports Complex, city officials posted on X, formerly Twitter.
City News Service contributed to this report
