LOS ANGELES (CNS) - This week's storm, which drew added moisture from an atmospheric river out of Hawaii, doused L.A. County valley areas early today but is on its way out of the region, forecasters said.
“After the spectacular lightning show early Wednesday morning and the periods of heavy rain that lingered into Wednesday afternoon, the weather across Southwestern California has quieted down quite a bit in most areas,” noted an NWS statement.
Rainfall totals from this week's storm generally averaged 0.75 to 1.75 inches of rain in coastal areas, 2 to 3.5 inches in the foothills and mountains, and 0.50 inches to 1 inch in the Antelope Valley, according to the statement. Through 7.30 p.m. Wednesday, the highest total was at Opids Camp in the San Gabriel Mountains with 4.12 inches, followed by 3.69 inches at San Antonio Dam in San Bernardino County.
A weak storm system was expected to strike the region tonight and produce scattered showers, which could affect the Friday morning commute, although there is no guarantee that will take place, Rorke said. But it will lower the snow level to 4,000 feet.
“Low elevation snow is possible Sunday and Sunday night, impacting major mountain passes,” according to the statement.
The area should dry out late Friday but another storm system will bring a chance for rain on Sunday and Monday, an NWS statement said.
Temperatures, meanwhile, were running around 10 degrees below normal, said National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Rorke. He noted that temperatures have not reached 70 degrees in downtown L.A. for 36 days, with another seven days of the same expected, which will create the fifth longest such streak.
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