First, it was Thanksgiving that was strikingly different than Thanksgiving 2019. Now, it also appears that Christmas Day 2020 will be very different than last Christmas.

It's not only because of the pandemic, but because of the weather we'll be experiencing that day.  

What You Need To Know

  • Christmas 2020 will be warmer and drier than last Christmas

  • The last storm that brought measurable rain was on Nov. 7th

  • Average December rainfall for DTLA and other cities is above 2"

  • Downtown LA and many SoCal cities have had no rain so far this month

One week out, and it appears Southern Californians will be able to enjoy a Christmas Day feast outdoors, if the forecast holds. Check out the difference expected in downtown LA, which is generally a good midpoint in SoCal.

An area of low pressure will come through midweek. Right now, based on what I'm seeing on the computer models, I'm forecasting more clouds and cooler conditions through Christmas Eve. 

There's a chance the clouds will clear out on Christmas Day, causing daytime highs to warm a bit more. If there's any chance of rain, we'll be sure to let you know.   

 

Stormy Christmas 2019

Last year, it rained on December 22, 23, 25 and 26. On Christmas Day, Downtown LA received 1.07" of rain. 

When you add all the rain from that Christmas week and a week of rain at the beginning of the month, DTLA ended December with a rain total of 4.84" (average rainfall 2.33").

So far this month, no measurable rain has fallen in DTLA and much of Southern California. We've had a couple of weak storms this week that brought only a few hundredths of an inch of rain to a few cities in southern Inland Empire, southern Orange County and parts of San Diego.

Christmas Day In History

Enjoy the calmer, mild weather forecast for Christmas Day. It could be worse, as we've seen in past years.  

On Christmas Day....

  • In 2019: A strong thunderstorm generated a weak tornado over Ventura Harbor. Only very minor damage was reported.
  • In 2007: Strong Santa Ana winds struck the Inland Empire. Gusts reached 85 mph at Fremont Canyon (>58 mph for nine consecutive hours) and 58 mph at Ontario. Trees were downed, big rigs overturned, power outages resulted.
  • In 2003: A strong storm hit the region with the following rainfall amounts: 8.58 inches at Lytle Creek, 5.79 inches at Devore, 5.59 inches at Santiago Peak, 5.40 inches at Forest Falls, and 3.94 inches at Volcan Mountain.
  • That same storm triggered mudslides and debris flows that killed 16 people (14 in a church camp in Waterman Canyon north of San Bernardino and two in a campground in Devore). The areas were burned by wildfires just two months prior.  

*Historical information provided by the National Weather Service San Diego