1st Storm Arrives on Schedule : Weather: The downpour is on track with the start of the rainy season, experts say. Two local traffic accidents are linked to wet conditions.

The first storm of the season--a lightning-laced, thunder-clapping, one-night stand that provided more sound than fury--blew itself out Monday afternoon, but another is expected to follow tomorrow.

The storm dropped less than half an inch of moisture in the Valley, enough to flatten new hairdos but not enough to cause flooding or street closures.

Light showers are predicted for Wednesday, with less rain expected than the storm system that moved through Monday.

The most serious rain-related accident occurred in Sun Valley, where a motorist allegedly fleeing a hit-and-run accident lost control of his car on rain-slickened pavement and plowed into oncoming traffic, critically injuring one person.

While lightning and rain briefly knocked out power for nearly 1,700 homes in West Los Angeles and Crenshaw, only about 30 homes scattered throughout the Valley lost power during the storm. All power was restored in the Valley by Monday.

Because most workers in city, state and federal offices stayed home for Columbus Day, traffic was light on most freeways and city streets, reducing rain-related traffic snarls.

A California Highway Patrol spokesman said there were no major tie-ups or accidents on Valley freeways Sunday night or Monday morning.

“All in all, it was a pretty good, light traffic day,” said Mark Denis, a radio traffic reporter for KFI-AM. “Anytime there is a holiday, it affects traffic.”

Nonetheless, the rain was a contributing factor in at least two traffic accidents in north Los Angeles County.

Police said a four-car collision in Sun Valley began when Elisio Lopez, 20, of North Hollywood hit another motorist near the intersection of Webb Avenue and Strathern Street. He allegedly attempted to flee the accident, with the other motorists in pursuit, when he lost control of his car on rain-soaked pavement on nearby Tuxford Street, said Los Angeles Police Detective Don Bellante.

Bellante said Lopez’s car slammed into oncoming traffic, critically injuring a 42-year-old Glendale motorist who police declined to identify pending notification of relatives. Lopez was slightly injured and transported to Holy Cross Medical Center for tests and X-rays, he said. Bellante said Lopez will be arrested when released from the hospital.

In the second incident, a motorist lost control and flipped his vehicle off rain-soaked San Francisquito Canyon Road near Spunky Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest south of Lancaster, authorities said.

The driver, who has not been identified, was rescued by Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters and taken to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he was listed in fair condition, said CHP Officer Bill Granados. The cause of the accident was under investigation.

All in all, it was a seasonal but succinct storm. The storm clouds began to break up by Monday afternoon, making way for partly cloudy skies and moderate temperatures. Meteorologists said the storm arrived just in time to signal the beginning of a traditional Southern California rainy season.

“We are heading into the rainy season so this is right about on schedule,” said Marty McKewon, a meteorologists for WeatherData Inc., which provides weather information for The Times.

McKewon said the fast-moving storm originated in the South Pacific and moved quickly northeast over California, with the southern tip of the storm moving through Southern California. He said he doesn’t expect any significant winter storms until November or December.

The storm was also somewhat accommodating because it did not unleash rain until shortly after the end of a free, outdoor rock concert at Woodley Park in Van Nuys on Sunday that drew about 10,000 music lovers.

“I think that God must like classic rock,” quipped Scott Segelbaum, promotions director for radio station KLSX-FM, which sponsored the concert featuring musicians Stephen Stills, Greg Lake, Dave Mason and the group Kansas.

Times staff writer Timothy Williams contributed to this story.