Lightning Closes Venice Beach

Rain and lightning moved across parts of the Southland today as monsoonal moisture continued to linger over the area.

National Weather Service forecasters said a line of thunderstorms moved into Long Beach, the South Bay and Catalina Island around 4:30 p.m. They noted that frequent lightning had been spotted in the Long Beach-South Bay area, and warned people who had gone to beaches to escape the heat to move indoors. Beaches from Hermosa to Venice were closed due to lightning,

Los Angeles County lifeguards ordered swimmers out of the ocean in Redondo Beach when lightning began. Hermosa Beach was also closed due to “severe weather.”

Earlier in the day, isolated thunderstorms were reported in the Antelope Valley, bringing some downpours and gusting winds to areas such as Pearblossom and Littlerock.

Lightning was also spotted off the coast of Orange County.

Forecasters had predicted a 20 percent chance of storms in the area tonight.

The monsoonal moisture is expected to remain in the area through Friday, bringing the continued chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms in the mountains and Antelope Valley.

Across the rest of Los Angeles County, showers could continue tonight and into Wednesday.

“The increased cloud coverage is expected to bring some cooling to much of the forecast area on Wednesday, with a gradual cooling trend Thursday through the weekend as onshore flow increases,” according to the National Weather Service.

City News Service

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