Southern California is experiencing a deluge of rain, with Santa Barbara and Ventura bearing the brunt of the storm. The downpour has grounded flights and closed roads, and the soggy weather is expected to persist through Tuesday. But here's where it gets controversial: even light rain can have a significant impact when it follows other heavy winter storms. Robbie Munroe, a meteorologist, warns that the rain has nowhere to go, making conditions potentially hazardous. The storm system has been more severe in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, but it's expected to weaken as it moves into Los Angeles County. The Santa Barbara Airport was forced to cancel all flights after several runways flooded, and officials are unsure when it will reopen. The wet weather has also caused extensive flooding on the 101 Freeway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard, leading to road closures. Downtown Los Angeles has also been affected by the storm. Further north, the Bay Area is experiencing coastal flooding due to a combination of high tides, large swells, and rainfall. While the region is expected to clear up by Monday, there is a 20% chance of mudslides in recent burn areas. And this is the part most people miss: the wettest months of the year are traditionally January and February, which means more rain may be on its way. So, while the recent storms have helped pull California out of drought conditions, the wet weather is far from over.
