A storm suffused with moisture from an atmospheric river rolled into the Southland Wednesday, triggering widespread rainfall, strong winds and concerns about flash flooding, but the region appeared to escape any serious damage.
A flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service for the Getty, Saddleridge and Tick burn areas in L.A. County was allowed to expire Wednesday afternoon as the rain began dissipating.
The storm “has moved through with just some lingering showers through this evening,” according to a late-afternoon statement from the NWS. “Could still be some brief heavy downpours but rain rates expected to remain below critical levels and all flash flood watches have been canceled.”
The story was the same in Orange County, where a flash flood watch was also allowed to expire.
As of late afternoon, roughly an inch of rain had fallen at Los Angeles International Airport, the Santa Monica Pier, Chatsworth, Northridge, Woodland Hills, UCLA and Lancaster. Downtown Los Angeles saw 1.14 inches.
Forecasters said temperatures will continue to be cooler than usual for the rest of the week, but it should stay dry for most of Thursday into Friday morning.
A weaker storm system is expected to move through the area Friday night and continue through the weekend, bringing “at least light rain across most of the area.” The system is expected to be significantly weaker than Wednesday’s storm, with less than a half-inch expected in most areas, and snow levels remaining generally above 7,000 feet.