A tornado alert has been issued for the east-central area of Los Angeles County due to severe weather conditions. The affected communities include Alhambra, Pasadena, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, El Monte, and Temple City. Although the tornado warning was canceled early, the National Weather Service has warned of ongoing high winds and continues to maintain a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the region.
Tornado Alert Issued for East-Central LA County Area
As a significant storm system impacts Southern California, residents are facing challenges from rain and potential mudslides. This atmospheric river is expected to deliver several inches of rain over the coming days, raising the risk of flash flooding.
Current Conditions and Warnings
- Communities Under Tornado Warning: Alhambra, Pasadena, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, El Monte, Temple City.
- Tornado Warning Status: Canceled as of 10:40 AM PST.
- Weather Impact: Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect.
Widespread power outages have been reported across Southern California. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has indicated that thousands of customers are affected by these outages, particularly in the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles. Southern California Edison has also noted outages in Los Angeles and Orange County, though these are less extensive.
Water Management Efforts During Storm
The state of California is taking measures to capture the rain generated by these storms for future water supply. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has stated that recent storms have produced enough water to support thousands of households in Los Angeles. Currently, Lake Oroville’s storage is at 54% capacity, with room to collect more rainwater.
Christmas Weather Trends in Southern California
Traditionally, Southern California experiences dry weather during the Christmas holiday. Historical data indicates that it has only rained on Christmas Day 46 times since 1892, which is approximately 34% of the time over 125 years. The last notable occurrence was in 2017 when nearly an inch of rain fell.
Residents are advised to stay informed of weather updates and ensure their safety during this unusual and challenging storm system.
