Home / Storm season and El Niño prep

Storm season and El Niño prep

Most winters in the Temecula Valley are mild, but every so often a run of storms arrives, sometimes during El Niño years and sometimes not. Heavy-rain years like 2023 brought roof leaks, flooded garages and soaked slopes across Southern California, and Tropical Storm Hilary showed in August 2023 that big rain can arrive outside winter too.

Before the rainy season (October–November)

• Roof: have damaged or missing tiles and shingles repaired; check flashing around vents and chimneys.
• Gutters and downspouts: clear debris and extend downspouts several feet away from the foundation.
• Yard drainage: make sure soil slopes away from the house and drains aren't clogged with leaves or mulch.
• Doors and windows: check weatherstripping and sliding-door tracks; clear the weep holes in sliding door frames.
• Irrigation: turn off watering before and after storms.

When a big storm is forecast

• Move valuables off garage floors.
• Keep sandbags or flood barriers ready for low doorways and garages.
• Know where your main water and electrical shutoffs are.

El Niño outlooks

El Niño doesn't guarantee a wet winter here, but strong events raise the odds of repeated storms. Check the latest outlook from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center and local forecasts from the National Weather Service in San Diego.