Area Gets 1st Dose of Rain in 6 Months

The first substantial rain in more than six months fell on Southern California Tuesday, providing much-needed moisture for tinder-dry brush lands but creating unwelcome traffic snarls on slippery freeways and streets.

The long dry spell allowed oily films to build up on pavement, and the gentle rains created slippery surfaces that posed problems for drivers unused to inclement weather.

“For some reason, they keep on driving as though it was dry,” said California Highway Patrol officer Wendy Moore.

A tractor-trailer skidded and overturned on a freeway transition road in Boyle Heights during an afternoon squall, dumping a load of canned beer. The mess tied up evening commuter traffic for hours on the Golden State and San Bernardino freeways.

By nightfall, the rain had tapered off in many areas.

“It’s just the usual chaos out there,” said CHP Officer Mark Garrett.

With the arrival of the rain, Los Angeles County health officials issued an advisory warning swimmers, surfers and beach-goers to stay out of the ocean because of the threat of high bacteria levels.

Runoff, especially if it is contaminated with sewage, can cause diarrhea, ear infections, skin rashes and other illnesses. Elevated bacteria levels can last for weeks.

By 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, .06 of an inch of rain had fallen on the Los Angeles Civic Center. Other 4:30 totals included .31 inches in West Covina, .14 in Burbank, .09 in Northridge, .07 in Venice and .06 in Pasadena.

Tuesday’s was the first measurable rain to fall on downtown Los Angeles since April 22, a dry spell that lasted 190 days. That’s well short of the 219-day record set in 1997, when measurable rain didn’t fall from Feb. 17 until Sept. 25.

Showers should be over by this morning and the weather should be dry for trick-or-treaters tonight, in time for the first full moon on Halloween since 1955.