Winter Storm: Lightning Closes Piers, Rain, Snow In Orange County

SEAL BEACH, CA — Showers and thunderstorms brought winter weather into the Los Angeles basin, overnight into Wednesday. The first rains of the season drenched the Southland while winter weather conditions created travel issues for those seeking mountain snow in the San Gabriel Mountains. Along the coast, high surf pounded the shoreline, threatening the safety of swimmers and surfers.

In Seal Beach and Santa Monica, piers and beaches were evacuated due to lightning at 9:30 a.m., the NWS reported.

A chance of showers increased to 40 percent after 10 a.m. Wednesday, forecasters from the National Weather Service said.

Since the start of the rainy season on Oct 1. there have been only trace amounts of rain, but Wednesday's storm could change things a bit, said NWS meteorologist Curt Kaplan.

In the mountains, a winter weather advisory went into effect at 7 a.m., expiring at 7 p.m. Thursday, with the snow level falling to 5,500 feet and up to 6 inches of snow expected to accumulate above 7,000 feet.

"Slow down and use caution while traveling," urged an NWS statement.
To learn the latest road conditions from CalTrans, call 800-427-7623.

Along the coast, sets of up to 8 feet are expected on west-facing beaches Wednesday evening, continuing through Thursday morning.

"There is an increased risk for ocean drowning," warned an NWS statement. "Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats near shore.

"...Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help."

The NWS forecast showers in L.A. County Wednesday and the kind of temperatures Angelinos have not experienced in months. Highs of 45 on Mount Wilson; 56 in Saugus and Lancaster; 58 in Saugus; 61 in Burbank and San Gabriel; 62 in Avalon and Pasadena; 64 in Downtown L.A., Long Beach, and Woodland Hills; and 65 at LAX. Temperatures will be about the same Thursday, then begin a slow warm-up.

In Orange County, a combination of showers and thunderstorms were forecast. The coastal temperatures were lower than inland county temperatures, a rarity for towns along the shoreline.

Orange County highs were 40 degrees on Santiago Peak; 49 on Ortega Highway at 2,600 feet; 55 in Fremont Canyon and Trabuco Canyon; 58 in Yorba Linda; 59 in Laguna Beach and San Clemente; 60 in Anaheim; 61 in Fullerton, Irvine, and Newport Beach.

Orange County temperatures were expected to rise Thursday slightly but not significantly until Saturday.

Stay tuned for weather updates in your area! And remember, do not drive through flooded areas. Turn around, don't drown!

City News Service, Patch editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.