Would I be an idiot to drive from Santa Monica to San Bernardino Christmas Day (Thurs, ~10AM thru 12PM) given the weather? I'm paying attention to the news, the weather alerts & warnings, etc., for sure, I just don't know if driving on the 10 from SM to SB would be OK or risky/stupid.

But that's where the fam is and I'd hate to stay home if it's not dangerous. I'm originally an East Coaster that knows how to drive in the rain, even really heavy stuff. but I know it's about everybody altogether with mixed experiences (or lack of it) of driving in a heavy downfall (no disrespect to true Angelenos etc.)... and this storm is supposed to be a big deal, the main factor of course.

"The downtown Los Angeles area is projected to receive 4-8 inches of rain through this week along which is two to three times the entire December historical average rainfall of 2.48 inches," according to AccuWeather along with warnings from the San Bernadino area.

Thoughts?

  • I mostly avoid driving in heavy rain because of idiots going 90mph and spinning out in front of me.

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  • If you have East Coast experience, it'll be more than fine, especially since Christmas Day is going to be lighter rain.

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  • Don’t drive in the far left lane. That’s where water usually pools up and you can hydroplane

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  • It would be fine. Just make sure your tires are good, drive slower than you think, and give lots of space in front of you. 

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  • You should be fine on Christmas Day. The rain will be lighter. I would avoid going anywhere tomorrow.

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  • I do a similar drive every Xmas Day and my family cancelled this year, take from that what you may.

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  • The heaviest rainfall is predicted for tomorrow, Thursdays prediction is about an inch of rain. I’d drive to see family on Thursday if they were in the area, but I grew up in the northeast and have driven through really nasty weather all across the country.

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  • The rain will suck (a lot), but the drive itself should be empty. I've yet to encounter any traffic on major holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving. Sounds like you're comfortable driving in weather, and you should have the roads mostly to yourself and/or sharing with truckers, who also know how to drive.

    I drove from SM to Simi Valley on Thanksgiving once in one of the worst storms ever, the kind where the wind blows semi trucks onto their sides. And that section of the 118 was dicey with the wind, but iirc, other drivers/traffic were never an issue.

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  • storm + rain! I would avoid long drive in rainy day

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  • The rain is bad, but no one will be o the road Xmas day. You’ll be fine.

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  • I feel like nothing bad happens on the 10. Should be fine. Traffic will be light and it's a straight shot.

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  • It’s going to be 2 hours of driving in solid rain. Honestly it’ll be horrible driving. I would stay in place.

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  • I was so concerned about the rain and driving during the downpour, I took off two days early and drove down today. The calm before the storm. Cannot believe the relief I felt not having to drive in the upcoming storm.

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  • It’ll be fine. Just drive normally & carefully

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  • As long as your car is in condition to drive in the rain, I don't see why not.

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