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Fast-moving storm brings rain to Southern California

March 11, 2016
Three women run and laugh in the rain as they begin to cross the Golden Gate Bridge Thursday, March 10, 2016, in Sausalito, Calif. The ongoing deluge of storms in Northern California has swelled lakes and dams, boosting the prospects for outdoor recreation but likely falling short of ending the drought. Heavy rain hit the region north of San Francisco on Thursday with four inches expected by Friday, the National Weather Service said.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Three women run and laugh in the rain as they begin to cross the Golden Gate Bridge Thursday, March 10, 2016, in Sausalito, Calif. The ongoing deluge of storms in Northern California has swelled lakes and dams, boosting the prospects for outdoor recreation but likely falling short of ending the drought. Heavy rain hit the region north of San Francisco on Thursday with four inches expected by Friday, the National Weather Service said.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

LOS ANGELES (CNS) – A potent and fast-moving Pacific storm brought driving rain to the Southland today, along with stiff winds and the threat of mudslides on fire-stripped slopes.

Clouds draped much of the most of the morning, and by early afternoon, rain was falling over the metropolitan Los  Angeles area.

The rain started along the Central Coast around mid-morning, and reached the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley early this afternoon, drenching the end of former first lady Nancy Reagan’s funeral.

National Weather Service forecasters said they were tracking a line of strong storms in western Los Angeles County around 1:45 p.m., carrying the potential for heavy rain, possible thunderstorms, hail and wind gusts of 40 mph or more.

“Brief heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to roadway flooding,” according to the NWS. “Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.”

Forecasters said the storm was bearing down on areas including Woodland Hills, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Inglewood, Santa Monica, Venice and Beverly Hills.

Rainfall totals were expected to average a half-inch to 1.5 inch, with the higher amounts expected in the Central Coast. In the Antelope Valley, a quarter-inch to a half-inch is expected.

NWS forecasters said the snow level will start at around 6,500 feet, then fall to between 4,000 and 5,000 feet this evening.

Between 2 and 4 inches of snow are expected to accumulate from 5,000 to 6,500 feet, and between 3 and 6 inches above 6,500 feet.

Forecasters said south-to-southwest winds of between 25 and 35 mph gusting to 50 mph would blow through mountain areas today while winds of between 20 and 30 mph, gusting to 45 mph, will sweep the Antelope Valley. In Los Angeles and around beach cities, forecasters expect winds of between 15 and 25 mph gusting at up to 40 mph.

A winter weather advisory denoting perilous travel conditions will be in effect in the San Gabriels until 6 a.m. Saturday.

A wind advisory will be in effect in the Antelope Valley until 10 p.m.

Temperatures will be similar under dry skies Saturday and Sunday, but showers are forecast Monday. A warming trend taking highs back into the 70s is expected Tuesday, with temperatures reaching the 80s Wednesday.