Torrential rains swept through Southern California on Friday as the region experienced its third storm in just over a week. The storms have brought significant rainfall, leading to local flooding but no major widespread damage, according to the National Weather Service.
The recent weather events have resulted in near-record rainfall for November in Southern California. Since November 13, downtown Los Angeles has received more than four times its typical monthly rainfall. Normally, the area gets about 0.78 inches of rain in November, but this month it has already seen approximately 3.5 inches.
Flash flood warnings were issued early Friday for parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties due to concerns about street and creek flooding and possible mudslides. In some areas near Culver City, vehicles became stuck in floodwaters before dawn. Huntington Beach also experienced flooding after a local pond overflowed, sending water into neighborhood streets and trapping parked cars.
Sebastian Westerink, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego, reported that by midday Friday the coastal areas saw a mix of clouds and sun as the storm moved east over the mountains. In Big Bear, about three inches of snow had fallen with more expected overnight. “It is certainly possible we’re going to see a few inches overnight,” Westerink said.
No major damage was reported from this latest storm, according to Westerink.
The rain comes as relief for California, which often faces drought conditions and depends on winter precipitation to replenish water supplies for spring and summer use. State water officials noted that since October, higher-than-average rainfall has helped boost reservoir levels across California.
Santa Barbara County has also seen heavy rainfall this month; some locations in the Santa Ynez Mountains have recorded more than 15 inches so far.
Earlier this month, a strong atmospheric river contributed to at least six deaths as it passed through much of California. The heavy rains have also increased risks of mudslides in regions recently affected by wildfires.
