Rare may storm hits Southern California with heavy rain, hail and snow
Image credit: Caltrans District 8
A rare May storm swept through Southern California on May 22 and 23, 2019, bringing heavy rain, hail and even snow to parts of the region.
The worst-hit were Inland Empire and eastern central area of Orange County where heavy rain was reported, according to ABC7.
Hail was reported in the San Gabriel Valley and parts of northeastern Los Angeles County where numerous lightning strikes forced officials to close beaches from Malibu to Dockweiler.
Snowfall was reported in San Bernardino County. A winter weather advisory was in effect in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
The region is expected to stay rainy and cool through Friday, May 24.
Impressive satellite imagery as organized cluster of strong thunderstorms spreads across much of #LosAngeles basin. Torrential downpours, lightning, & even hail being reported. Widespread storms like this are pretty rare in this part of the world at any time of year!#CAwx #LArain pic.twitter.com/UlFmIv5Pa5
— Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) May 22, 2019
It looks like we could get another little dusting in the VTA mountains again tonight into tomorrow. With snow levels expected to drop to 5k, we should see a few inches on the peaks but we don't expect any issues on the Grapevine! #lawx #socal pic.twitter.com/1epm9yMck5
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) May 21, 2019
Lightning and wind today in Los Angeles. My view from Santa Monica, looking east. #lalightning #losangelesweather #cawx pic.twitter.com/5RWkMFdtza
— Jennifer Kennedy (@Jenn_Kennedy_) May 22, 2019
Hello downpour! Nearly an inch of rain fell in 50 minutes with this thunderstorm at the Bel Air Hotel. Nearby UCLA reported 0.63" with the same storm! #cawx #LArain pic.twitter.com/HQ1TK7CeDr
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) May 22, 2019
Snow on SR 243 in Idyllwild. Bring chains to mountain areas #caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/4QrNWfNk5t
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) May 22, 2019
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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