The Southland's unsettled spring weather continued today, as a storm front pushed its way across the region, bringing thunder and lighting to some areas and prompting a closure of many Los Angeles County beaches.
Clouds began building Wednesday morning as the system moved through, and by early afternoon, showers moved into the area from the north, bringing thunderstorms to parts of the San Gabriel Valley and Pomona.
Thunder also rumbled over the West Los Angeles area and over the Santa Monica Mountains, bearing down on coastal areas.
Lightning spotted off the coast prompted Los Angeles County lifeguards to clear beaches from El Segundo to Malibu around 2:30 p.m. Santa Monica issued a lightning advisory, ordering people off the beaches and urging them to "seek shelter indoors."
The beach closures were lifted shortly before 5 p.m., with lifeguards saying the storms had moved away.
#LightningIC *UPDATE* the storm has moved through the area. All #LACounty beaches have returned to normal operations. Thank you to all those that heeded warnings.
— LACoFD Lifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) May 22, 2019Forecasters said the chance of rain will linger into the evening, with a 20 percent chance of showers on Thursday.
#LightningIC more lightning strikes near our Santa Monica Headquarters. @LACoLifeguards are working with @NWSLosAngeles to monitor the storm. Beach patrons are advised to seek shelter immediately. pic.twitter.com/lhQ8zUPlkc
— LACoFD Lifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) May 22, 2019-CNS
