A lingering low-pressure system brought heavy downpours and even some hail to parts of the Southland Monday, primarily in the San Fernando Valley and western foothill areas.
A cluster of storms pushed through the valley early Monday afternoon, prompting warnings from the National Weather Service for residents to take cover due to the possibility of small hail, and to use caution on the roads.
Shortly after noon, a strong storm system pushed through areas such as Chatsworth, Porter Ranch and Santa Clarita. By early afternoon, rain and thunder moved across the valley and some metro areas, including Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Burbank, Hollywood, Northridge, Sherman Oaks and West Hollywood.
NWS forecasters said the storms were accompanied by winds gusting up to 50 mph and hail.
As the systems pushed eastward, storm warnings were issued in the San Gabriel Mountains and areas such as Pasadena, Sun Valley, Glendale and La Canada Flintridge.
Forecasters said the storms were the result of a cold upper-level low-pressure system located north of the area. Rain rates were only anticipated at at about a quarter-inch per hour, but some heavy downpours were detected in parts of the San Fernando Valley. Forecasters said localized rain rates could potentially be as high as three-quarters-of-an-inch per hour.
Sporadic storms were expected to remain possible into early evening Monday, according to the NWS.
A winter weather advisory was in effect until 7 p.m. Monday in areas including the San Gabriel Mountains and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors. Forecasters said as much as 6 inches of snow could fall above 6,000 feet, accompanied by winds up to 45 mph.
Residents were urged to prepare for slick road conditions.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health extended an ocean water quality rain advisory for all county beaches through 8 a.m. Wednesday, warning residents to avoid water contact due to elevated bacteria levels from storm runoff that may carry contaminants including debris, chemicals and trash.