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Community Corner

First Rainstorm this Season Brings Lower Temperatures

Highs are expected to be mostly in the 60s.

By City News Service

Fall's first rainstorm spread across droughty Southern California today.

An upper-level low-pressure system swept south and east across the state, with light rain arriving in West Los Angeles about 9:30 a.m.

National Weather Service forecasters predict that as much as a half-inch of rain could fall in the lower reaches of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains, with snow falling at elevations of about 5,000 feet or so. Snow levels are expected to start out around 6,500 feet -- Big Bear Lake is about 6,700 feet -- and drop to about 4,500 feet as the storm moves east this evening.

About 3 inches of snow is expected in the higher elevations.

Metro areas will likely get about a quarter-inch of rain. Downtown Los Angeles has received less than its average rainfall of about 15 inches over the past two winters. In 2011, 8.69 inches fell. Just 5.89 inches fell at the NWS weather station at USC last year, making 2012 the sixth driest on record.

Metro area highs will be mostly in the 60s, while some mountain spots could top out in the 40s and 50s.

The wind is expected to be a big part of this storm. NWS forecasters predicted south-to-southwest winds of 25-35 mph, with gusts 50 mph.

The high winds could down tree limbs and power lines, causing power outages, and make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles and vehicles with trailers, the NWS warned. Blowing sand and dust could affect travel on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and Pearblossom Highway (SR 138), it said.

A wind advisory will be in effect in the Antelope Valley and the San Gabriels in both Los Angeles and Ventura counties until 9 tonight.

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