Chilly, rainy weather arrives in Southern California. Here’s how long it should last

Southern Californians heading out to work and school Monday woke up to a light rainstorm that had moved into the area overnight.

The storm, not expected to drop more than a quarter-inch across most of the Southland with scattered pockets of higher totals in local mountains and foothills, was expected to dissipate by the afternoon, though cooler temperatures are expected to linger for several days.

The rain is not expected to affect areas vulnerable to debris flow from recent fires because of how little is forecast, said Kristan Lund, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office.

“Thankfully, no concerns,” Lund said.

The precipitation and below-average temperatures are prompted by a weather system coming in from the Pacific Northwest, she said.

Although most of the precipitation is expected to end Monday, chilly weather is expected for several days. Across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, temperatures are expected to be five to 12 degrees below normal, Lund said.

“This will continue through much of the week, if not the entire week,” she said. “It’s closer to normal by the weekend.”

There is a small chance of some additional rain for some local mountains into Tuesday, the Weather Service said in a Monday morning forecast.

There is also a chance of more showers returning Thursday into the evening, but by Friday the weather is expected to dry out and begin to warm up into the weekend.