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LA sees rain one day after record-setting heat

February 17, 2016

LOS ANGELES (CNS) – One day after the end of a 12-day heat wave, a Pacific storm moved into the Southland today, bringing rainfall across much of the Southland and ushering in a damp afternoon commute.

Forecasters said the fast-moving storm system could also bring gusty winds strong enough to knock down trees and power lines, while giving us a precipitous drop in temperature.

Following a day when more heat records were set, the temperature dipped by as much as 20 degrees in some areas today, according to the National Weather Service. Rain totals from the storm system, which is expected to linger into tomorrow, are expected to vary between a quarter-inch and an inch.

Light rain began falling around midday in the northern reaches of the county, then expanding into the metro area by early afternoon. But the rain and cooler temperatures won’t last long.

“Rain will fall across the region through tomorrow morning and winds will be gusty in the mountains and Antelope Valley,” according to the NWS. “Temperatures will be near normal through tomorrow, then warm 15 to 20 degrees by Sunday and remain well above normal into the middle of next week at least.”

Forecasters said the winds will intensify tonight, with gusts of between 50 and 70 mph in the mountains and the Antelope Valley and 40 to 50 mph across the interior valleys.

On Tuesday, record high temperatures were set in downtown L.A. where a high of 90 topped the record for a February 16 — 88, set in 1977; LAX, where the high of 88 topped the record 84 set in 1953; Long Beach Airport, where the high of 89 beat the record 85 set in 1977; Santa Ana, where the high of 95 beat the record 87 set in 1977; and Newport Beach, where the high of 78 edged the
record 77 set in 1930.

Sunny weather is expected to return Friday.