Showers and even thunderstorms are possible in Ventura County

Ventura

Rain showers, sometimes heavy, were falling Saturday over Ventura County, with thunderstorms potentially in the mix.

As of about 2:15, authorities in Simi Valley said heavy rain had been falling off and on for about an hour in the area. As the rain fell in Simi, there was a string of traffic accidents along Highway 118 in the northeast portion of the city.

At 2:20 p.m., the National Weather Service reported a line of showers and isolated thunderstorms across eastern Ventura County extending from Simi Valley southward through Westlake Village. The storm was bringing brief heavy downpours and small hail.

Climate coverage:

As of noon, meteorologists with the National Weather Service said rain activity was increasing across Southern California, with scattered showers expected through the afternoon. Brief periods of moderate to heavy rain, including a slight chance of thunderstorms, were in the forecast.

Kathy Hoxsie, a meteorologist with the weather agency’s Oxnard office, said as of midday Saturday a line of showers was moving through parts of Ventura County.

“Once this batch moves through, it will be hit and miss through the day,” she said.

Since midnight, a few local areas posted a small amount of measurable rain. About three-hundredths of an inch fell in Ojai, Hoxsie said. Near Matilija Dam, two-tenths of an inch fell.

Thunderstorms and showers did roll into the Santa Barbara area shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday. A thunderstorm and rain also impacted parts of Orange and Los Angeles counties during the late morning and early afternoon, weather agency reports showed, with hail likely at times.

Hoxsie said garden-variety thunderstorms could visit Ventura County if the sun breaks out, generating heat. Those conditions will last through the afternoon into early evening, she said.

Light rain had been predicted for Friday night and Saturday, although January and February in Ventura County have been mostly dry, prompting some to worry that the region could be nudged back into drought conditions unless stormy weather visits before long.

Gretchen Wenner covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at gretchen.wenner@vcstar.com or 805-437-0270.

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