Unusual September Rain Soaks Santa Monica and Westside on Labor Day Weekend

Tropical moisture from Hurricane Marie, remaining hundreds of miles offshore, delivered widespread showers and locally heavier downpours across Santa Monica and Los Angeles County on Sunday, September 6. Rain began early in the morning and continued on and off through the afternoon, with thunderstorms possible in some areas.

National Weather Service forecasts issued Saturday and early Sunday called for generally light amounts-most locations a quarter-inch or less, with isolated totals approaching a half-inch in foothills. Observed rainfall exceeded those expectations in many Westside and nearby spots. By mid-morning, Santa Monica Airport had recorded about 0.38 inches, Culver City and Bel Air around 0.54 inches, and some foothill and coastal sites such as Monte Nido more than 0.70 inches. Isolated bands produced locally heavier rain, with some reports approaching or exceeding an inch in parts of the county as showers persisted.

A woman walks with an umbrella in Santa Monica as the rain returns after months of dry in LA county. 9.7.26

Labor Day Monday is expected to turn much drier and sunnier. Highs near the coast should reach the upper 70s to around 80 degrees under partly cloudy to sunny skies, with only a slight chance of lingering showers, mainly inland or in the mountains. Little additional accumulation is anticipated.

Official climate stations at Downtown Los Angeles and Los Angeles International Airport recorded no measurable precipitation from July 1 through September 5. Sunday's rain marked the first significant wetting in at least two months and the first notable September rainfall of the season after an otherwise dry summer. The moisture is welcome after the prolonged dry stretch, though roads became slick from accumulated oil and some low-lying coastal areas experienced minor flooding.

High surf and coastal flood advisories remain in effect through Tuesday for Los Angeles County beaches, including Santa Monica, due to elevated swells from the distant hurricane. An ocean water-quality advisory advises against swimming for 72 hours after rainfall. Beachgoers should use caution with rip currents and stay off rocks and jetties. Conditions are expected to improve midweek as the tropical moisture recedes.

Warmer and mostly dry weather is expected to return to Santa Monica after Sunday’s rain. National Weather Service forecasts for the beaches show:

Monday (Labor Day): sunny, high near 80°F Tuesday: mostly sunny, high near 83°F

Wednesday: sunny, high near 86°F Thursday: sunny, high near 81°F. Friday: sunny, high near 79°F

Other forecasts cluster in a similar range, with Monday highs around 80–85°F and midweek peaks in the mid-80s before a slight cooldown toward the weekend. Inland areas will run several degrees warmer. No significant rain is expected through the week.