Wet Christmas? Probably

It will be a stormy Christmas in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, forecasters predict.

The National Weather Service says it will be mostly dry today, but Wednesday and Thursday will bring a heavy downpour as the storm system that caused showers Monday hits its peak.

It has been a much rainier December than usual in Newport-Mesa in what has otherwise been an abnormally dry year, meteorologist James Oh said.

Several flights were delayed or canceled out of John Wayne Airport due to inclement weather in the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest, but the local conditions haven’t stopped planes from taking off and landing in Orange County, according to airport officials.

Holiday travelers should call their airlines before they go to the airport to make sure their flights have not been changed, spokeswoman Jenny Wedge said.

The harbor patrol is warning boaters about possible gale-force winds in excess of 40 mph, but Monday afternoon there were only light breezes, according to harbor patrol Sgt. John Hollenbeck.

Police in both cities did not report any major rain-related accidents.

UPCOMING FORECAST

Tuesday: Partly cloudy, highs 55 to 60; at night lows of 44 to 49 with a 20% chance of rain

Wednesday: Rain by the afternoon and through the night with highs of about 60 and lows 46 to 51.

Thursday: Rain likely in the morning with a chance of showers in the afternoon and evening with highs of up to 61 and lows 40 to 47.

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at alan.blank@latimes.com.