Drenched days lie ahead

Andrew Edwards

Forecasters are predicting a soggy end to 2004, with heavy rains

expected to hit Newport-Mesa through Wednesday, followed by scattered

showers lasting until next week.

Meteorologists predicted that about 2 to 4 inches of rain would

fall on the Southern California coastal and inland areas between

Monday night and Wednesday, National Weather Service forecaster

Philip Gonsalves said. The storm, caused by a cold front originating

in the Gulf of Alaska, is expected to be heavier in the foothills.

It is “impossible to tell” where showers will fall after the

primary downpour is over, Gonsalves said.

“Once the initial widespread rain event is over, it’s going to be

hit or miss,” he said.

The National Weather Service announced a flash flood warning will

be in effect along Orange County coastal areas from 4 a.m. today

through 4 p.m. Wednesday. The service also announced a gale warning

on Southern California waters beginning at 2:30 p.m. Monday.

The prospect of high winds led Orange County Sheriff’s Department

Harbor Patrol deputies to issue warnings to boaters and slowed down

the start of the Newport Beach whale-watching season.

On Monday morning, before the National Weather Service made its

official gale warning, Harbor Patrol deputies had already posted

warnings and were busy moving boats away from the harbor mouth to

safer areas, Sgt. Mike Scalise said. Deputies were also keeping an

eye out for boaters heading out to sea.

Whale-watching season began Sunday, but the prospect of storms

kept some boats docked. Tours from Davey’s Locker continued through

Monday, but Newport Landing sent tours out only in the morning,

employees said.

The Reveille, affiliated with the Fun Zone Boat Co., did not go

out at all, said its captain, Bill Scott. He expects local whale-

watching businesses will not be seriously set back by the rain.

“It does affect us, but we’ll roll with the punches,” he said.

In addition to rain, the storm will likely bring big surf to

Newport Beach. Lifeguards expect rain will not deter dedicated

surfers, though they advised that surfers should be conscious of

their skills. Nonexperts should stay out of the water, lifeguard Lt.

Brian O’Rourke said.

After the rain, people should stay out of the ocean for three to

five days, he added, because ocean water quality typically

deteriorates after a storm.

* ANDREW EDWARDS is the news assistant. He can be reached at (714)

966-4624 or by e-mail at andrew.edwards@latimes.com.