Storm soaks the Southland
A fast-moving storm pushed through Southern California on Friday afternoon, causing brief but heavy downpours and a tornado warning.
The storm headed south out of Los Angeles and Orange counties Friday evening and was expected to taper off in San Diego by Saturday morning. However, experts said, there was a chance of some light rain in other parts of Southern California through the weekend.
On Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service warned that the risk of severe wind gusts or a “brief tornado” could not be ruled out across the Southland. There had been no tornado activity as of Friday evening.
Heavy showers pummeled L.A. and Ventura counties throughout the afternoon, including at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, where rain started coming down just after Nancy Reagan’s funeral concluded.
The northern part of the state also experienced rain and snow. The National Weather Service in Sacramento predicted that after Friday’s showers in Northern California, another storm system would arrive late Saturday morning, followed by another Sunday.
Experts warned of mountain road closures and travel delays due to dangerous conditions.
In Southern California, forecasters said, the downpours would result in high surf pounding most beaches through the weekend, creating dangerous rip currents. They advised beachgoers to enter the ocean only if lifeguards were present.
L.A. County health officials warned people not to swim or play in ocean water near storm drains and rivers through at least Monday. Because of runoff, bacteria and trash from streets likely will enter the ocean through those outlets, they said.
soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com
Follow @skarlamangla on Twitter for more L.A. news.
Times staff writer Veronica Rocha contributed to this report.
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