Rain Causes Traffic Snags, Power Failure for 5,000

Rain fell across Southern California today, clogging morning rush-hour traffic and causing power outages for more than 5,000 customers in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, winds of up to 35 m.p.h. at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert forced a one-day postponement of the first space agency test flight of the $87-million X-29 experimental jet.

The storm center, which originated in the Gulf of Alaska, had drifted over Northern California on Tuesday, where winds of up to 50 m.p.h. were reported in San Francisco and 71 m.p.h. at Mammoth Lakes in the southern Sierra Nevada.

The rain began falling in Los Angeles and coastal areas just after midnight, and amounts this morning ranged from a half-inch at the Los Angeles Civic Center to one inch along some of the foothills, the weather service said.

The National Weather Service pegged the chances of continuing rain in the greater Los Angeles area at 60% tonight and 30% Thursday morning.

The power outages, which began about 1:30 a.m., affected customers in West Los Angeles, Canoga Park, Sunland and Studio City, Department of Water & Power spokeswoman Elizabeth Wimmer said. About 2,400 were still without power this morning.

Meanwhile, travelers were warned of strong, gusty winds in the mountains and deserts. A small craft advisory was issued early today for the outer coastal waters from Point Conception, 125 miles northwest of Los Angeles, to San Clemente Island, 50 miles south of San Pedro.

Snow was reported down to 5,000 feet in the mountains.