LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Rain that began Sunday afternoon in Southern California and carried on through the night has resulted in winter conditions for Christmas shopping and travel, forecasters said.
The rain was light at first Sunday afternoon, but turned heavier as the day progressed.
National Weather Service meteorologists reported moderate to locally heavy rain over the Sepulveda Pass including the Getty Burn Area and across southern L.A. County including Rolling Hills and Redondo Beach.
A Flood Advisory was in effect until 3 a.m. for Los Angeles County, with highest rainfall rates between .50 inches to .80 inches and significant roadway flooding across portions of the San Fernando Valley and Palos Verdes Peninsula.
A SigAlert was issued about 1:15 a.m. shutting down the Burbank Boulevard onramp to the westbound Ventura (134) Freeway due to flooding. The SigAlert was cancelled about 2:20 a.m. Flooding was also reported on the transition road from the eastbound Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway to the southbound San Diego (405) Freeway.
Malibu Canyon Road was shut down about 5 1/2 hours Sunday night through early morning just south of the Malibu Canyon Tunnel due to a mud and rock slide caused by rain.
Accumulations could reach 1- 1/4 inches in the LA Basin with more in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, NWS Meteorologist Carol Smith said.
Mountains could receive up to 1 1/2 inches of rain with 2-6 inches of snow from 5,000 to 7,000 foot elevations and 6-12 inches above 7,000 feet, Smith said.
The rain was forecast to taper off to showers in the afternoon with a chance of thunderstorms that could produce small hailstones.
High temperatures along the coast were forecast to be in the mid-50s to about 60, with lows in the mid-40s to around 50. Inland and valley temperatures were expected in the low to mid-50s with lows in the low to mid- 40s. There was a slight chance of showers after midnight.
A cold air mass is expected to move over the area Wednesday leading to a colder rain storm and lower snow level, she said.
There is a chance that rain will begin Wednesday morning, but it is more likely to start Wednesday afternoon and continue into Thursday, Smith said.
The snow level could drop to 4,000 feet or lower from this storm and accumulations of rain and snow could be similar to the current storm, she said.