LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Cloudy and wet weather was felt across much of the Southland today followed by thunderstorms and heavy rain.
The National Weather Service Los Angeles posted a map on Twitter Saturday evening showing widespread rain.
“Most of the activity on radar is to our southeast. There have been numerous lightning strikes and many brief heavy downpours reported, but the total rain amount is only about a quarter inch. Showers will continue for a few more hours, mostly over eastern LA Co,” forecasters said.
Video from one news photographer showed heavy rain coming down in Pomona at West Mission Boulevard and the 71 Freeway about 6:30 p.m.
According to forecasters, a “cutoff low pressure system” will linger through Saturday, with particularly unstable weather building through Saturday night.
“Storms may contain dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, gusty and erratic winds, small hail and brief heavy downpours,” according to the NWS.
Forecasters predicted widespread rain over much of Los Angeles County on Saturday, possibly leading to minor flooding, with rain falling at a rate of a half-inch per hour, although the rate could vary dramatically in isolated areas.
“This will bring the potential for roadway flooding and minor debris flows in the recent burn scars of L.A. County,” forecasters said. “These thunderstorms will also have the potential for producing downdraft wind gusts between 30 and 40 mph with abrupt and erratic wind shifts.”
The wet weather is expected to begin tapering off by Saturday night, but temperatures will remain cooler than normal on Sunday, with some lingering rain possible. A warming trend is expected to follow for much of next week.
