LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- The first in a series of winter storms swept through Southern California on Friday, trigging heavy rain, mudslides and lighting strikes.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles, precipitation in some areas over Santa Barbara and Ventura counties topped 2 inches (around 5 cm) in the latest 24 hours as of 4 p.m. local time (0000 GMT Feb. 1). The storms will impact Southern California through Monday night, bringing periods of moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow. Impacts include possible shallow debris flows, travel delays, and downed trees due to gusty winds.
NWS Los Angeles warned that significant rain will impact the area from Friday night to Saturday night.
Expected rainfall totals one to three inches (2.54 cm to 7.62 cm) over the coast and valleys and up to 7 inches (17.78 cm) across mountains and foothills, the agency tweeted.
Thunderstorms started early morning in Santa Barbara County and then moved south into Ventura and Los Angeles counties. A stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway was forced to close in the morning between Ventura and Los Angeles counties due to mudslides and flooding.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) crews reopened all lanes of the stretch later in the afternoon but still urged motorists to remain cautious when driving through the area and on canyon roads.
Two planes were reportedly hit by lightning in the storm.
A JetBlue flight from Los Angeles to New York with 153 people on board had to return to Los Angeles International Airport shortly after takeoff and make an emergency landing in the morning after it was reportedly struck by lightning.
A second plane, a Southwest Airlines flight which had 86 people aboard, was forced to make an emergency landing in Oakland after it was struck by lightning while taking off from Los Angeles International Airport, CBS reported.
Local officials warned residents to stay away from Southern Californian beaches during the storm. The NWS issued a beach hazards statement for lightning at all beaches of Orange and San Diego Counties.
An ocean water quality rain advisory has been declared by public health officials for all Los Angeles County beaches. The advisory will be in effect at least until Sunday morning. Beach users are urged to be cautious to avoid contact with water for at least 72 hours after significant rainfall.
