'Significant and dangerous' storm to unleash severe weather, flooding threat for southern California

The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles is putting millions on alert for a "very significant and dangerous" storm that has the potential for flash flooding and possible tornadoes early this week. 

A dip in the jet stream opens the door for storms bringing abundant moisture to funnel into the West Coast.

A series of storms will slam the coast, delivering high winds, strong waves, heavy rain and severe storms, as an atmospheric river targets the state. 

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Rain will keep things very active in Southern California, where 3–5 inches of rain is possible, with localized higher amounts expected.

Creeks and rivers could rise quickly, and urban flooding is possible around Los Angeles.

A sneaky risk of severe weather is ushered in with rain on Monday. The severe storm threat will spread across the Los Angeles basin, potentially producing waterspouts that come ashore. If this occurs, it could produce tornadoes.

Of the 49 tornadoes that have occurred in Los Angeles County since 1950, only 9 of them have been during the winter months, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

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Right now, a level 1/5 severe risk is expected for Southern California. 

Damaging wind gusts and even a few tornadoes are possible with this threat, according to the FOX Forecast Center. 

Additionally, flash flooding will be possible with the heavy rain. 

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Areas with burn scars from recent wildfires are especially at risk of flooding.

A level 2/4 flood risk is in effect starting Monday through Tuesday for portions of California.

Hourly rain rates could approach up to 0.5" in some locations. 

Thus, the flash flood threat will continue to increase, and dangerous mudslides could be triggered, with evacuation warnings already issued in some of the most vulnerable zones. 

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The FOX Forecast Center said that the unsettled pattern does not end after Monday. 

Additional storm systems are expected to move into California through midweek and possibly beyond, keeping soils saturated and prolonging the flood threat. 

Moderate rain later in the week could cause renewed flooding in areas that were hit hard early on.