Wet droplets fall from the sky in Los Angeles as Alaska searches for winter

Southern California had its wettest day in 10 months over the weekend, a sorely needed respite from unusual fire weather conditions throughout much of 2025 so far. Elsewhere, a weird weather pattern fostering persistent winter warmth continues across Alaska as it has during recent weeks, while another powerful winter storm strikes Europe.

Weather Watch

California rain. The 0.61 inches of rain that fell at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday was the most in one day there since March 30 of last year. Given unprecedented winter wildfires this month and the rapid expansion of drought — now at extreme levels in parts of the Southland — the rain comes when it is needed most. Half an inch to an inch fell over the weekend in much of the region, a little additional is likely Monday, and a somewhat more promising weather pattern may offer new chances ahead.

Alaska warmth. When it’s notably cold in the Lower 48, the other end of the see saw in Alaska is often not so cold. That’s especially true this year as the warmth records keep on coming and month-to-date numbers are running about 15 to 20 degrees above normal. In the latest spell lasting through the weekend, Anchorage spent about five days straight above freezing, a record for January. Fairbanks also set a similar record, which included a low of 33 degrees Saturday. The average low in Fairbanks for the date? Minus-16 degrees.

Storm Herminia on Eowyn’s tail. After Eowyn left a trail of destruction and killed two late last week, Herminia is hammering the United Kingdom through Monday. Code yellow warnings are up for much of the southern UK with gusts up to 70 mph anticipated amid some potential for flooding.

Lightning links

Snow squalls and lake effect are expected to keep it wintry in parts of the Northeast as a general Eastern U.S. thaw grows in scope.

Following historically poor seasons in recent years, Great Lakes ice makes a comeback.

Monday morning weather map

Beneficial rain fell across much of the fire-ravaged region of Southern California. Here are some of the totals through early Monday:

• 0.95 inches at Los Angeles International

• 0.81 inches in Burbank

• 0.7 inches in Ontario

• 0.81 inches in Lancaster

• 0.57 inches in Santa Barbara

• 0.21 inches in San Diego

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Weekday morning newsletter by a journalist/forecaster that connects weather and climate change dots while occasionally stirring the pot.

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