Rain Snarls Traffic, May Return Today

Sunday’s weather forecast, warning Orange County residents of a chance of morning sprinkles and partial cloudiness in the afternoon, turned out to be a tad optimistic.

The sprinkles didn’t begin until afternoon, but they quickly developed into real showers in many areas. The California Highway Patrol reported a number of accidents due to the rain, but said there were no reports of injuries.

Bob Knowles of the California Highway Patrol said all the accidents occurred on freeways in the county, and described them as “mostly solo spin-outs or fender-benders.”

Traffic was slowed to a crawl on many of the slick roadways as some motorists took precautions and others paused to look at the minor accidents, police said.

The National Weather Service predicts partly cloudy skies again today, with a “chance of measurable rain” and temperatures slightly higher than Sunday’s range of 50 to 63 degrees. High temperatures today are expected to be between 54 and 65, the weather service said.

Some clouds are expected tonight, but Tuesday should be mostly fair and warmer, with high temperatures reaching the low to middle 70s, according to the weather service.