The National Weather Service is reporting a threat of thunderstorms this afternoon through Sunday for Southwest California.

An upper-level low pressure system off the coast, combined with an upper-level high pressure system over the great basin is expected to bring thunderstorm activity across the mountains and Antelope Valley.

As upper level disturbances rotate across the region, the threat of showers and thunderstorms will spread to the entire region by tonight and continue through Sunday. Most of the moisture will be confined to the mid and upper levels of the atmosphere through tonight, with the lower levels remaining fairly dry.

This will result in the potential for dry lightning strikes and gusty winds with thunderstorms through tonight, bringing heightened fire weather concerns to the region.

By Saturday, the air mass moistens, bringing with it increased chances of measurable precipitation and the potential of brief heavy rain. This flow pattern is expected to bring a significant surge of subtropical moisture with increasing humidities to the area through the weekend.

In addition, maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be significantly warmer over the next couple of days.