L.A. rainstorm could bring downpours, hail, strong wind gusts
A combination of scattered showers, gusty winds and the possibility of hail is expected to hit Southern California throughout Wednesday, forecasters said.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for California coastal areas and Catalina Island, with sustained winds of between 15 and 25 mph, and gusts up to 35 mph, in the forecast. The winds are expected to increase in strength Wednesday morning and peak in the afternoon.
There is also a slight chance of thunderstorms Wednesday with the possibility of “brief, heavy downpours” and small hail, the weather service said.
PHOTOS: L.A.’s February rainstorms
The heavy downpours could produce minor mud and debris flows near recent burn areas, forecasters warned.
Of particular concern is the area below the roughly 2,000-acre Colby fire burn area in Azusa and Glendora.
The Glendora Police Department announced that the fire impact area remains at yellow-alert status, triggering rain-related parking restrictions that require residents to remove vehicles, trash bins or other obstructions from the road. However, no evacuation orders are in place and there is no restricted entry into the area.
Azusa police also sent out an advisory late Tuesday asking residents near the burn area to “stay aware of weather conditions.”
Earlier this year, residents in Azusa and Glendora were ordered to evacuate as a large storm caused minor debris and mudflows that damaged some properties.
By 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, California Highway Patrol officials were already warning drivers about two accidents related to the slick roadways.
The eastbound 210 Freeway transition road near the 134 Freeway in Pasadena was temporarily closed following an accident involving three big-rigs, CHP Officer Francisco Villalobos said.
Three lanes of the eastbound 10 Freeway near Garey Avenue in Pomona were also expected to be closed until about 8 a.m. after a big-rig jackknifed and began leaking fluid, Villalobos added.
The weather system is expected to move out Thursday, leaving behind partly cloudy skies. A warming trend will likely follow, with daytime temperatures going from the 60s to the upper 70s on Friday and over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Twitter: @MattStevensLAT
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