Heavy Rain Triggers Evacuations and Tornado Warning In Ventura County

The brunt of the storm will mostly affect the northwestern portion of SoCal today.

Average temperatures across the Southland will be in the mid 60s, between 65 and 67 degrees from the coast to inland areas.

The low desert will be slightly warmer with highs reaching 71 degrees, 60 degrees in the low desert.

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About the storm

The National Weather Service says more rain is coming — but meteorologist Ryan Kittel said western areas of the Southland will bear the brunt of the storm.

"It does seem like the storm wants to pull back and go back to the west of Los Angeles County and focus more on Ventura and Santa Barbara counties through the course of the day, so that's why the western part of Los Angeles County is probably going to be the most active," Kittel said.

A heavy band of rain in the early morning hours has created minor roadway flooding. The National Weather Service has enacted flood advisories for Ventura and western Los Angeles counties including central Santa Barbara until 10 a.m.

For Los Angeles County, the advisory mainly applies to portions of the San Fernando Valley including Chatsworth, Woodland Hills, Northridge and Van Nuys.

Look ahead

Kittell said rainfall will become more widespread across the Southland. Come tomorrow, the rain will still be heavy in the morning, but by the afternoon showers will become more scattered.

The rain will taper off from northwest to southeast with a few lingering showers over the mountains Saturday morning. The highest peaks in San Bernardino and Riverside county mountains will accumulate up to 10 inches of snow. The Christmas holiday is on track to be dry and sunny.

Winter Weather Advisory\

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the San Bernardino and Riverside County mountains.

Snow will fall to as low as 6,500 feet between now and early Saturday morning. Total accumulations of snow will reach up to 10 inches above elevations of 8,000 feet.

Evacuation And Tornado Warnings

Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued in Port Hueneme due to heavy rains and flooding. Residents can learn more here about the status of warnings and an evacuation map.

A list of streets where homes have been ordered to evacuate:

• North to Bolker Way
• South to Channel Islands Boulevard
• West to Patterson Road
• East to Triton Street

A list of streets under evacuation warnings:

• North to West Hemlock Street
• South to Bolker Way
• West to Patterson Road 
• East to Trion Street

A tornado warning was issued just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in Ventura County as heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed the cities of Ventura and Oxnard. The National Weather Service canceled the warning about an hour later without any reports of tornados touching down.

This day in history

On this day in 1997, a waterspout hit Huntington Beach, turning into an F1 tornado.

Things to do

All this wet and gloomy weather makes for a perfect indoor excursion. Here's an event that will keep you dry and entertained:

• The Comedy Basement: The Comedy Basement is the stand-up showcase that takes place at the lower level of Grand Central Market. Thursday's show features Ron Funches, Laura Peek, Kimberly Clark, Subhah Agarwal, Jeff Buck and others.

Check out our full list of things to do this week.