Winter storm brings strong showers and thunderstorms to Southern California

A storm that originated in the Gulf of Alaska brought more rain to Southern California Wednesday, with forecasters warning of possibly hazardous cells that could result in thunder, lightning, hail and heavy downpours in some areas — along with snow in local mountains.

The National Weather Service issued a “special weather statement” early Wednesday afternoon for much of Southern California, warning of the potential for “strong showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.”

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The “most intense activity” was expected to occur across Los Angeles County coastal areas between 3 and 8 p.m., forecasters said.

“Individual showers and thunderstorms will track inland toward the foothills after moving ashore, and will likely maintain moderate to strong intensity 20 to 40 miles inland from the coast,” according to the NWS. “The most intense activity will be capable of producing wind gusts to 55 mph, small hail, dangerous lightning, and heavy downpours. While highly uncertain, there is a small possibility for one or two tornadoes to occur with this activity, along with damaging straight-line winds.”

The storm system is not expected to linger in the area very long, with the bulk of the activity forecast to move out of the region by later Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

A winter weather advisory will be in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday in the San Gabriel Mountains and the 5 and 14 freeway corridors. According to the National Weather Service, as much as 8 inches of snow could fall at elevations over 6,500 feet, up to 5 inches as low as 5,500 feet and up to 2 inches at 4,500 feet.

The heaviest snowfall is expected Wednesday and Wednesday night, with lingering snow showers and gusty winds anticipated on Thursday, according to the NWS.

Forecasters had anticipated a total of about a quarter to three-quarters of an inch of rain, although if thunderstorms develop, some areas could see totals topping an inch. In fact, if heavy cells do develop, some areas might see rain falling at a rate of up to an inch per hour.

“Dry weather will return Thursday except for some lingering showers in the mountains,” according to the NWS.