Monrovia 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, as it is doing during the morning commute.

The National Weather Service before dawn issued a flood advisory but have since canceled it. In Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains, the rain was falling at rates of between a quarter-inch and just under a half-inch per hour, the agency said.

Driving conditions could become dangerous across canyons including Malibu, Topanga and Kanan Road due to large boulders and debris falling from canyon walls this morning, according to the NWS.

Strong winds are also expected to be a factor in this week's weather events. A wind advisory remains in force in the Antelope Valley until noon Thursday. The wind could make driving difficult on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and Pearblossom (SR 138) Highway, and blowing sand and dust could impede visibility, the National Weather Service warned.

Conditions promise to be considerably more onerous 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. Also expected is snow accumulation of between 4 and 8 inches, with up to a foot possible on south- facing slopes and mountain peaks.

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.

In Los Angeles and Ventura counties, a beach hazards statement, which is a notch less severe than a high surf advisory, will be in force through Monday evening. High surf, rip currents and longshore currents will create risk for beachgoers, swimmers and surfers, according to the NWS.

The U.S. Coast Guard took steps to underscore 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.

Between a half-inch and an inch of rain is expected in coastal areas and valleys, but up to 3 inches is possible in the mountains and foothills as a result of the first of the three storms.

The storm expected on Friday stands to be stronger, producing up to 3 inches of moderate to heavy rain. In the mountains, the snow level will start off at between 4,000 and 5,000 feet Friday, then drop down to 3,500 feet, which would affect the Interstate 5 corridor near The Grapevine and the Tejon Pass, according to the NWS.

The third storm -- from Sunday to Monday -- is expected to be the wettest of the three, generating between 1.5 inches and 3 inches of rain along the coast and in the valleys, and up to 5 inches in the mountains and foothills, along with "damaging" winds gusting at up to 55 miles per hour.

Temperatures will remain in the 50s and low 60s.

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