Light rain fell in Southern California Friday morning as high surf slammed the coast and strong winds buffeted parts of the region.
Only between a tenth of an inch and a half-inch of rain is expected in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, though much more rain is forecast to the north, along California's central coast. The rain will stop later Friday and return Monday.
"We saw the heavier stuff this morning, now it's starting to move on," said NBC4 forecaster Shanna Mendiola. "This is the first of three. We'll see another one coming Sunday night into Monday that will pack more of a punch."
Eighty-eight crashes were reported on Los Angeles freeways Friday morning, compared with 57 during the same period last week when it did not rain, according to the California High Patrol.
Also expected are winds of 15-25 miles per hour in the San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope Valley, it said. In the San Gabriel mountains, the snow level is forecast to remain above 7,000 feet, with little, if any, accumulation expected above 7,500 feet.
Along the coast, a high surf advisory is in effect in L.A. and Orange counties until 6 p.m. Saturday, with surf of 5 to 8 feet expected, along with strong rip currents that will create hazardous conditions for swimmers and surfers.
Temperatures will be several degrees below normal
