Spring storm triggers rain, hail and snow across Southern California

A low pressure system triggered thunderstorms, lightning and hail over the Los Angeles area Thursday afternoon, and dropped a light blanket of snow at Big Bear.

The system rumbled across the Antelope Valley, dropping nearly an inch of rain in the Lancaster and Palmdale areas and prompting flash flood warnings and advisories for the area, according to the National Weather Service.

Lightning also was reported in Lancaster area, as well as nickel-size hail, agency weather specialist Stuart Seto said. He advised residents in the Antelope Valley to be aware that lightning was striking the region.

“If it roars, go indoors,” Seto said.

At Snow Summit in Big Bear, live camera feeds Thursday afternoon showed light snow falling in the area.

More than a quarter inch of rain fell in the mountains north of Ojai in Ventura County, according to the Weather Service. In the high desert, more than a quarter inch of rain also was reported at Joshua Tree National Park.

The unstable system also caused wind gusts in excess of 40 mph in some areas, the Weather Service said.

Southern California will begin to warm up for the Memorial Day weekend as high pressure moves into the region, forecasters said. By Monday, highs in the inland areas of Los Angeles County should be in the low 80s.

“It will be really nice,” Seto said.