The Southland was cold and partially wet Wednesday, as a small low-pressure system moved through the area, bringing light rain and a chance of snow in the mountains.

“Rainfall totals are expected to remain on the light side with most areas receiving less than one-quarter inch,” the National Weather Service said. “However, locally higher amounts, up to around three-quarters of an inch, will be possible over the San Gabriel Mountains.”

By 10:30 a.m., the NWS was reporting “brief heavy downpours, very small hail, and dangerous lightning possible south of the I-10 Freeway” through 11 a.m.

Forecasters said the best chances for rain were in southern Los Angeles County and off the Orange County coast toward Catalina, with very small pockets of moderate rain possible up to Ventura County.

Snow will be possible at elevations of about 5,000 feet, and southeasterly winds will buffet the area, gusting to 40 mph in the mountains. A winter weather advisory was in effect in the Los Angeles County mountains from 1 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, with forecasters saying 2 to 4 inches of snow could fall, leading to “slippery road conditions.”

The storm system will be short-lived, with conditions drying out by Wednesday night, leading to gradually warmer weather for Thursday and Friday.

The NWS on Monday reported that, for only the eighth time in more than 140 years, no measurable rain fell in downtown Los Angeles during the month of February.

February is typically downtown’s wettest month, averaging about 3.8 inches, according to weather service data.

Records for downtown Los Angeles date back to 1877.

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