Beverly Hills Weather: First of Trio of Storms Batters Region

LOS ANGELES, CA --The first of three successive Pacific storms forecast to strike the Southland brought heavy rain to the area Thursday morning.

The storm began moving in Wednesday night, dousing parts of the region with rain during the evening commute, then did likewise for the next morning's commute. Overnight, the rain was falling at rates of between a quarter-inch and just under a half-inch per hour in Malibu and Santa Monica, the National Weather Service said.

Flood advisories were issued for parts of L.A. and Orange counties overnight but later allowed to expire .

Strong winds are expected to be a factor in this week's weather events. A wind advisory was to have been in force in the Antelope Valley until noon Thursday but was cancelled more than three hours early.

Conditions promise to be challenging in the San Gabriel Mountains amid fierce winds and snowfall, making road travel dangerous, forecasters said. A winter weather advisory heralding the advent of especially challenging travel conditions will be in effect in the mountains in Los Angeles and Ventura counties until 10 p.m. tonight. Southwest winds of between 20 and 35 mph gusting to 55 mph will buffet the mountains through this morning, forecasters said.

Mountain roads that could be affected by the weather include Highway 33 in Ventura County and, in L.A. County, Interstate 5 and the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway. NWS forecasters warned residents planning to venture into the San Gabriels to prepare appropriately and travel with a flashlight, food and water, extra clothes and blankets, and tire chains.

Along the coast, high surf is expected Thursday through Monday as a result of a large storm-generated swell, posing a danger to beachgoers and the operators of small vessels.

"This very large long-period westerly swell has the potential to bring the highest surf seen in recent years to the Central Coast," said an NWS statement, adding that the surf will peak late Friday into Saturday, then slowly subside through Monday. Until then, the surf will have the potential to create coastal erosion and coastal flooding even south of the Central Coast.

A high surf advisory, which is a notch more severe than a coastal hazard statement, will be in force from 4 p.m. Thursday until 9 p.m. Tuesday in L.A. County and until 10 p.m. Tuesday in Orange County. High surf, rip currents and longshore currents will create risk for beachgoers, swimmers and surfers, according to the NWS.

An NWS statement said each of this week's three storms "will be capable of producing gale force winds, large and steep seas, and a slight chance of thunderstorms with dangerous lightning, heavy rain, reduced visibility, and isolated waterspouts. The largest and most dangerous seas are expected Friday night through Saturday," when waves of between 15 and 25 feet are expected across the outer waters and along the Central Coast.

The U.S. Coast Guard underscored the severity of the weather service's warnings, issuing a statement that advised mariners to wear life jackets while on the water, have a working marine-band radio on board, carry marine flares, make sure bilge pumps are operational, know conditions before setting out, and file a plan with friends, family and local marinas, listing everyone aboard, your destination and estimated time of return.

The storm that arrived Wednesday night is expected to produce between a half- inch and an inch of rain in valley and coastal areas, with up to 2 inches in the foothills. Snow levels will be between 5,000 and 6,000 feet, with between 5 and 10 inches of snow above 6.500 feet, according to the NWS.

The second storm is expected late Thursday night through Friday evening, followed by a third storm for late Saturday night through Monday.

"The second and third storms will have the potential to produce greater rainfall totals," with the last expected to be the largest of the three, an NWS statement said, adding that the combined rainfall totals for all three storms could be 3 to 6 inches in coastal and valley areas, with up to 9 inches possible in some foothill and mountain areas.

The storm expected to arrive late Thursday night into Friday evening will be the coldest of the three, with snow levels possibly falling to around 4,000 feet, the statement said.

"All three storms will be capable of producing periods of moderate to heavy rain, isolated thunderstorms, and moderate to strong south to southwest winds, especially across the higher terrain," it said.

"Potential impacts include flash flooding and debris flows for recent burn areas, rock and mudslides along canyon roads, urban and small stream flooding, significant travel delays, downed trees, isolated power outages, and dangerous winter driving conditions in the mountains, especially late Thursday night through Friday evening when snow levels could lower to The Grapevine."

But the threat of mud and debris flows Thursday has passed, the NWS said early in the morning. Temperatures, meanwhile, will remain in the 50s and low 60s for several days.

Because of the weather, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority announced the temporary extension of hours at most winter shelters. Shelters will be open 24 hours a day during two separate time frames. The first runs until 7 a.m. Saturday, and the second goes from 5 p.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Winter shelters in Highland Park, Santa Clarita, Skid Row, South Los Angeles, Sylmar, Long Beach and Bell will have the extended hours. In addition, the city of Lancaster will extend its shelter hours until 10 a.m. Thursday and Saturday, and will be open 24 hours on Friday and Sunday.

Those seeking shelter locations or transportation schedules can view LAHSA's web page at www.lahsa.org/ces/winter-shelt... or call the winter shelter hotline at 1-800-548-6047

The NWS forecast showers in L.A. County Thursday and highs of 46 degrees Fahrenheit on Mt. Wilson; 52 in Palmdale; 54 in Lancaster and Saugus; 58 in Burbank; 60 in Avalon, Long Beach, Pasadena, San Gabriel, woodland Hills and at LAX; and 61 in downtown L.A.

Showers are also forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 60 in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Yorba Linda, and Mission Viejo; 61 in San Clemente, Fullerton, and Anaheim; and 62 in Irvine.

Roughly comparable temperatures are forecast through Sunday, followed by a dip of a few degrees on Monday, when the last of the three storms should clear out.

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of the NWS