Storm Systems Line Up as Antelope Valley Braces for a Wet Start to the New Year
- Richard Sykes
- Dec 31, 2025
- 2 min read
ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA — The final day of 2025 is closing out on a wet and unsettled note across the Antelope Valley, with a series of Pacific storm systems expected to bring repeated rounds of rain, low clouds, and chilly temperatures well into the first week of January. Forecasters say residents should prepare for a prolonged stretch of damp, gray weather — a stark contrast to the region’s typically dry winter pattern.
A Soggy New Year’s Eve
Light rain is already falling across much of the Valley, with temperatures hovering in the upper 40s and winds remaining light. The National Weather Service reports that skies will stay mostly cloudy through the evening, with a high likelihood of continued showers and overnight lows settling in the mid‑40s.1 2
Humidity levels are elevated, visibility is slightly reduced, and the chance of precipitation sits near 98 percent — a near‑guarantee that New Year’s Eve celebrations will be damp across Lancaster, Palmdale, and surrounding communities.1
New Year’s Day: More Rain, Slight Warm‑Up
The first day of 2026 will bring a brief uptick in temperatures, with highs expected to reach the upper 50s. But the warm‑up comes with a trade‑off: more rain showers, especially during the morning and afternoon hours.1
Forecasters expect around 0.08 inches of additional rainfall, with cloud cover lingering into the night as conditions transition to partly cloudy skies after sunset.1
Midweek Break Before Another Storm
Friday, January 2, offers a slight reprieve. While skies will remain mostly cloudy, the chance of rain drops to just 5 percent during the day, though humidity will stay high and temperatures will remain in the mid‑50s.1
But the break will be short-lived.
Heavy Rain Expected Saturday
A stronger storm system is forecast to arrive Saturday, bringing heavy rain during the day and light showers into the night. Rainfall totals could reach a quarter‑inch, with winds increasing slightly and humidity nearing saturation levels.1
This system is expected to be the most impactful of the week, with the potential for minor roadway flooding, reduced visibility, and travel delays — particularly along the 14 Freeway and Sierra Highway corridors.
Lingering Showers Into Early Next Week
Light rain continues Sunday and Monday, with temperatures holding steady in the upper 50s. Winds will increase Sunday night into Monday, with gusts reaching 12 mph as another round of showers moves through the region.1
By Tuesday, January 6, skies may briefly clear before yet another chance of light rain returns overnight. The unsettled pattern continues into Wednesday, with scattered showers and breezy conditions expected across the Valley.1
Looking Ahead
While no major flooding concerns have been issued, the National Weather Service advises residents to remain alert for rapidly changing conditions, especially in low‑lying areas and near recent burn scars. Drivers should use caution on wet roads and allow extra travel time during peak rainfall periods.
The extended wet pattern is unusual but not unprecedented for the Antelope Valley, where winter storms occasionally stack up in early January. For now, residents can expect a cool, damp, and cloud‑covered start to 2026 — and perhaps a welcome boost to local groundwater levels.
Sources
2Zone Area Forecast for Antelope Valley - National Weather Service. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=CAZ383
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