Halloween Rain Showers Forecasted In Rancho Santa Margarita This Weekend

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Rain could put a damper on Halloween festivities this weekend across Orange County as a potentially strong storm moves into the region, forecasters said.

Rain could begin as early as Friday, with forecasters predicting unsettled weather through Sunday. However, the timing and intensity of the storm remain uncertain, particularly for Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 31, according to the National Weather Service.

Here's the run-down on the weather Rancho Santa Margarita residents can expect Halloween weekend:

On Friday, residents can expect mostly cloudy skies with a 20 percent chance of rain, and temperatures ranging from the high-60s to low-70s.

Saturday, Rancho Santa Margarita residents will have a chance of rain in the afternoon with temperatures ranging from the high 60s to low 70s. By nightfall, residents can expect a 50 percent chance of showers with light winds.

On Sunday, the rain showers will likely continue in the morning through the afternoon. Clouds are expected to part by Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.

"There remains a lot of uncertainty in the details of the forecast this weekend, but there is increasing confidence that the bulk of the precipitation won't arrive until Sunday," National Weather Service San Diego forecasters wrote. "That being said, periods of on and off light showers may develop as early as Friday or Saturday."

Depending on the storm's path, rainfall totals Sunday could range from as little as a tenth to a quarter of an inch to as much as 1.5 to 2.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm is also expected to bring gusty winds to mountains and deserts, along with a significant drop in temperatures.

Patch Staffer Kristina Houck contributed to this report.