Los Angeles residents are battening down the hatches as a fierce storm system moves in, bringing flood watches and winter storm warnings across Southern California ahead of the Easter weekend. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds will impact the region with the potential for urban flooding and difficult travel conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

With a 100% chance of rain Saturday and continuing showers expected through Sunday, Los Angeles can expect up to three-quarters of an inch of rain - the storm could deliver between 1 and 3 inches across Southern California and up to 6 inches in some mountain and foothill areas, as reported by KTLA. The hazardous conditions have placed areas including Los Angeles, Ventura, and the Antelope Valley under a flood watch, effective Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, and forecasts warn that rivers, creeks, and other low-lying areas could overflow.

Meanwhile, snowbirds may delight or despair as snow levels plummet to 4,500 feet, affecting mountain highways and the 5 Freeway through the Tejon Pass; officials forecast one to two feet of snow at elevations above 6,000 feet, prompting winter storm warnings for the San Gabriel Mountains and surrounding areas as stated by KTLA.

Gusty winds have already begun to impact regions across L.A. with possible downed trees and power outages expected, as "excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, urban areas, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations," as per the National Weather Service, and a high wind warning was issued for the Los Padres National Forest, where gusts may reach 60 mph. In advance of the system's landfall, local authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant and prepared for the stormy conditions, while forecasting a return to sunny skies and warmer weather by Tuesday.