Southern California rain storm: Easter weekend timeline

TEAM COVERAGE: Heavy rain in Southern California

Flood watches have been issued for parts of Southern California. Several areas that have been hit hard so far this year are bracing for more damage and potential mudslides

LOS ANGELES - A heavy storm has made its way to Southern California, and forecasters expect a wet holiday weekend. The weather system is expected to bring thunderstorms, unseasonably cold temperatures and potential landslides, according to the National Weather Service.

Here's what to expect from this weekend's weather in Southern California, and which areas are under evacuation orders:

Storm Timeline

The cold front is expected to reach the Central Coast Friday afternoon. The storm will move into Ventura County after midnight Friday, and into Los Angeles County early Saturday morning, meteorologists said.

Gusty winds of up to 60 miles per hour and potential thunderstorms are expected Saturday night into Sunday over Los Angeles County, said the NWS.

"These thunderstorms on Sunday could produce small hail, gusty winds, frequent lightning and possibly even a small tornado or waterspout," said the NWS.

Weather forecast for Saturday, March 30

The latest forecast and air quality conditions for the greater Los Angeles area, including beaches, valleys and desert regions.

Forecasters said it will be colder on Saturday and Sunday, with most areas not getting out of the 50s.

One to four inches of rain is anticipated in coastal and valley areas, with as much as three to six inches in the mountain areas of Southern California.

The NWS issued a flood watch that will be in effect 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.

Malibu roads closed to landslides

More rain is drenching Southern California, including in places like Malibu, which has already had to close several roads due to landslides from previous storms.

A winter storm warning will be in effect through 11 p.m. Sunday for the San Gabriel Mountains and the along the 5 and Antelope Valley freeways, with forecasters warning that "travel could be very difficult to impossible."

There is a small chance the rain will continue past Monday, but lingering showers are not expected to make much of an impact past Easter Sunday, forecasters said.

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."