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Winter Storm Forecast To Hit SoCal By Christmas Night

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Don't put away the umbrellas away just yet.

The National Weather Service says another large winter storm could reach Southern California by Christmas night.

The approaching storm will be "more of a typical winter system for us, unlike long-duration storms of the past week," said Weather Service meteorologist Stuart Seto.

Between a half inch and an inch of rain is predicted for the coast and valleys, and between .75 and 1.5 inches in the mountains.

The skies are expected to clear Sunday night.

"This is more of a typical December Christmastime storm," Seto said. "It will probably be short-lived and fast-moving."

"There is a slight chance of thunderstorms right along the storm front," Seto said. "Rain could be heavier if any cloudbursts develop."

This storm will be colder than the last series of rains, and the snow level will drop to about 5,000 feet. Seto said it is also possible for a thunderstorm to create a cold downdraft, that could drop the snow level dramatically in a small area.

The Southland has already been drenched by heavy rain that has caused mudslides, debris flows and flash flooding.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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