Latest Storm Sets Rainfall Records With More To Come

LOS ANGELES, CA — A storm system that soaked the Southland, setting four rainfall records for the date and putting on a spectacular overnight lightning show, slowly moved out of the area Wednesday, but lingering showers are expected to continue for the next couple of days.

Precipitation began falling late Tuesday across the area, and hundreds of lighting strikes were reported as the storm moved in. One bolt even struck a Delta Air Lines flight taking off from Los Angeles International Airport, but the plane returned to the airfield without incident.

With rain continuing throughout the night, residents were treated to a wet Wednesday morning commute. According to the National Weather Service, 1.24 inches of rain fell Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles, breaking the record for the date of 0.88 of an inch set in 1884.

Other rainfall records for this date were set at Los Angeles International Airport, where 0.94 of an inch fell, breaking the previous record of 0.54 of an inch set in 1962; Lancaster, where 0.73 of an inch fell, breaking the previous record of 0.48 of an inch set in 1980; and at Palmdale Airport, where 0.56 of an inch fell, breaking the previous record of 0.55 of an inch set in 1980.

The rain slowly dissipated as the day wore on. A flash flood watch that was issued for recent burn areas in Los Angeles County was allowed to expire at 11 a.m. A flood advisory for central Los Angeles County remained in effect until 9:15 p.m.

"The main storm system has moved out of the area but scattered showers will continue through the afternoon," according to a weather service statement issued early Wednesday afternoon. "There will be some lingering shower activity on Thursday and Friday before drying out on Saturday."

Forecasters said a weaker storm will move into the area Thursday night, but it will have far less moisture than the system that just moved through. The system will bring noticeably colder air with it, lowering the snow levels and creating the possibility of icy road conditions in some higher elevations, potentially even on Interstate 5 through the Grapevine.

According to the weather service, the area should dry out by Friday afternoon, and stay that way through at least Saturday, when temperatures will increase but still remain about 5 degrees below normal.

Another storm is on the horizon on Sunday and Monday, but forecasters said that system appears to be even weaker and will be centered mainly in mountain areas.

City News Service