A massive system hovering over Arizona also brought some light rain and thunderstorms to Southern California on Monday, March 18, leading to the closure of at least three Orange County beaches.

The showers arrived in the afternoon over the region, dropping a small amount of rain along the coastline in Orange County, said National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Moede. Newport Beach, Seal Beach and Laguna Beach officials announced that beaches would be closed in the afternoon after reports of lightning strikes.

The afternoon showers were a result of a large system over Arizona that is “so big it is wrapping moisture around it,” Moede said. “The system is carrying that moisture all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Over the deserts, over the Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange County mountains.”

Here are the total #lightning strikes so far (purple is cloud to cloud and in cloud while orange is cloud to ground) #cawx #socal pic.twitter.com/IzT1BUBV3m

— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) March 18, 2024

While no beach closures had been announced in Los Angeles County in the afternoon, thunder strikes and light hail were reported over the San Gabriel Valley area, said NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld.

Rain and thunderstorms were also reported over the Inland Empire, though they were not as heavy as along the coastline.

The storm was a fast-moving system — with the heaviest rainfall totaling around quarter inch in Anaheim — and light, scattered showers were expected to persist through the evening as the system continues on its path south.

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