LOCAL : O.C. Receives Much-Needed Rain
A tropical-type storm that has been brewing off the coast of California for the past several days moved into the Southland early this morning, bringing much-needed rain that could measure more than an inch in some areas.
“It’s going to be holding pretty steady through the day,” said meteorologist Ken Smith of WeatherData, which provides weather forecasting for The Times. “It’s not a super-heavy rain event, but it’s going to be very beneficial.”
Although welcomed by drought-stricken Orange County growers and water company officials, the storm caused plenty of trouble for the California Highway Patrol, which recorded at least 25 accidents during the morning rush hour.
“They were all pretty much rain-related,” said Officer Angel Johnson, a CHP spokesperson.
Smith said the rain began falling between El Toro and Long Beach about midnight, causing temperatures to dip into the low 50s. Daytime temperatures were expected to hover only in the mid-50s, he added.
The forecast calls for rain to continue through the day, with the heaviest downpours late this afternoon. “That’s when you will see the main brunt of the storm pass through,” Smith said.
The storm will taper off Friday, ending in the evening. The weekend outlook calls for clear weather, with temperatures Saturday ranging in the mid to upper 60s and the low 70s Sunday and Monday.
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