Storm System Brings Thunder, Lightning, Rain To Southland
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Fall weather is making a comeback with not one, but two chances for rain this week.
Southern California sweltered under dry, windy weather with temperatures in the upper 80s and 90s most of the weekend into Monday. But those summery conditions took a turn, with lower temperatures and showers overnight for most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Monday night, thunderstorms reduced electrical power at UC Irvine, the university reported. There was emergency electrical power in certain locations, including student housing.
Lightning was detected near Del Mar in San Diego County Monday afternoon. That same system moved north Monday evening into Orange County, the Inland Empire and Los Angeles County.
Rain arrived in Los Angeles late Monday afternoon and was expected to last throughout the night, according to the National Weather Service.
But even with cooler temps and rain on the way, forecasters warned that there is an increased risk of wildfire due to possible lightning strikes.
As rain fell across Los Angeles, county fire officials urged residents to "seek shelter and remain inside" until the lightning storm subsides. The agency noted that numerous lighting strikes are occurring across the area.
The storm prompted beach-closure warnings in parts of Orange County while L.A. County lifeguards closed all beaches from San Pedro to Malibu, along with Catalina Island.
The storm is not expected to bring large amounts of rainfall to the region, but there will be another chance for rain by Thursday, into Friday, according to the National Weather Service. That system could bring more substantial rainfall to the region.
There are some concerns about how the rain might impact the cleanup and recovery efforts from the Huntington Beach oil spill.
