On the heels of some recent wet weather, a cold low-pressure system is expected to move across the Southland today, bringing with it rain, big waves, snow and strong Santa Ana winds. The National Weather Service predicts a slight chance of morning showers and a "near-certainty" of afternoon rain. more ›

The fast-moving storm moistening the Southland today has contributed to an increase in freeway accidents, as well as sailing warnings, snowfall at high elevations and strong winds in mountain areas. more ›

Strong winds continue to whip through SoCal today, and the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a high wind warning until Saturday afternoon. High wind warnings will remain in effect in L.A. and Ventura counties until 3pm today and until 1pm in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. more ›

The heavy rains pounding the hillsides and concrete of Los Angeles has a very specific trickle-down effect when it comes to the Pacific. Called "urban runoff," the rush of water spewing into the ocean from storm drains puts beach-goers at risk because of high bacteria levels. Not that you were likely planning to take a dip down at the beach this week, but, just in case: "A Rain Advisory has been declared for all Los Angeles County beaches. The advisory will be in effect until 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 23." more ›

Take some time to chill out during your drive home tonight, literally. There's a CHP travel advisory due to icy conditions and delays on Interstate-5 in Gorman. more ›

Just two days after National Park Rangers issued a warning that great white sharks have been feeding on sea lions off Santa Barbara Island, a surfer in Pismo Beach was bitten by a shark, according to KTLA. more ›

The massive early-morning quake off the coast of Chile has dozens of Pacific-bordering nations on alert as the shifting of plates are causing tsunami conditions in the water. The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issued an advisory for the North American West Coast, though it is important to note that while the effects can be dangerous, they are not expected to be devastating here:

Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is imminent or expected. Significant, widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival.

A tsunami advisory has been issued for the California coast this morning following the overnight magnitude-8.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Chile, according to the LA Times. "An advisory means there may be strong currents, but that widespread inundation is not expected to occur." more ›

Because rain continued to drop today, the Los Angeles County Department of Health extended an advisory that warned beach goers to stay away from swimming near discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers. That's because "bacteria, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to enter ocean waters though these outlets," they said. more ›

An 8.0 earthquake off the Vanatu Islands today prompted various tsunami watches and warnings in the South Pacific and a tsunami advisory for Hawaii. However, California and the rest of the West Coast, including Alaska, have not been put under any notifications from government officials, as of 4:27 p.m. PST. more ›

Local beaches have been cleared of the tsunami advisory issued yesterday in response to the massive earthquake in the South Pacific, reports KTLA. This morning Los Angeles County lifeguards announced they'd conducted patrols of the beach overnight and "found no dangerous currents or other hazards." more ›

In light of today's tsunami advisory, L.A. County lifeguards will close beaches at 8 p.m., one hour before waves are expected to gain in height. City officials with Parks and Recreation were unsure if the Venice Boardwalk would close, but facilities close at 7 p.m. with most businesses shutting doors around that time. A spokesperson at Councilmember Bill Rosendahl's office said he hoped the new skatepark, scheduled to open this weekend, won't be damaged. more ›

An 8.0 earthquake in American Samoa this morning prompted a tsunami watch in Hawaii and a tsunami advisory for coastal areas of Southern California, including Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. [Update: Beaches in LA County will close at 8 p.m., more info here] more ›

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory warning residents in areas near the Morris Fire to take caution when exerting energy or if they have respiratory problems. Outdoor activities should be avoided and the elderly and children should especially stay inside, unless it's too hot. Affected areas include portions of the San Gabriel Mountains, the west San Bernardino Mountains, the east San Gabriel Valley, portions of the South San Gabriel Valley, portions of the Pomona/Walnut Valley, the northwest San Bernardino Valley, the southwest San Bernardino Valley, the central san Bernardino Valley and the East San Bernardino Valley. UPDATE: Officials with LA County Public Health say take caution anywhere you see or smell smoke. “It is difficult to tell where ash or soot from a wildfire will go, or how winds will affect the level of dust particles in the air, so we ask all individuals to be aware of their immediate environment and how it might affect their health,” said Health Officer Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding. more ›

When it rains in the Los Angeles area, the yucky stuff (you know, bacteria, debris, trash, and other public health hazards) from city streets and mountain areas enter the ocean via storm drains, creeks and rivers. That means, swimming near them for the next few days can be hazardous for your health. more ›

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is in Chicago today, taking part in meetings with President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. more ›

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for much of LA and Ventura Counties until Friday at 6 p.m. according to the National Weather Service (all areas colored fuchsia in the map at right). LA City Red Flag parking restrictions are not in effect. more ›

A wind advisory for mountain areas in Los Angeles and Ventura counties expected to end this afternoon are now including the Santa Monica Mountains that divide Los Angeles' basin and the San Fernando Valley--previous advisories did not include the National Recreation Area. 15 to 30 MPH winds are expected with gusts up to 45 MPH. The advisory is set to end at 3 p.m. this afternoon but winds are expected to pick up tonight and tomorrow with susatined 20 to 35 MPH winds and gusts up to 55 MPH. more ›

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Due to the Marek and Sesnon fires, the South Coast Air Quality Management District is sending out daily advisories. Today, they warn people in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and portions of the San Gabriel Mountains near the fires. "Concentrations of fine particulate may reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category or higher in areas impacted by the fires," the advisory says. "As the winds diminish and shift, additional areas may experience smoke and ash, causing air quality to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or higher." As usual, they say that outdoor activity and even indoor activity should be avoided. Bad example: Fox 11 showed a man going for a run, jogging suit and all, in Porter Ranch this morning. more ›

Valley, southwest Riverside County, Orange County. A smoke advisory is in effect for the San Fernando Valley and portions of the San Gabriel Mountains near the Marek/Little Tujunga Fire. The AQMD suggests that vigorous outdoor and indoor activity should be avoided and people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should stay inside with windows and doors shut. more ›

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has released a smoke advisory due to the Marek Wildland Fire in National Angeles Forest above the Northeast Valley. They urge people "to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke," in areas where one not only just see smoke, but can smell it. In areas directly impacted by the smoke, " In areas directly impacted by smoke. "everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors. Keep your windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot inside. In these cases, seek alternate shelter. Run your air conditioner if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside." more ›

Although it's a brief warning, the overall weather picture remains grim here in the greater Los Angeles area. We're under warnings and advisories galore; the flood advisory is still up for Ventura and LA Counties, snow is expected in the "lower elevations of Santa Barbara County as well as the Foothills of the Antelope Valley," the wind advisory is in effect until tomorrow night, and multiple roads in and out of town are closed. more ›