Severe Weather Goes In, Out of Town

Yep, we got pelted.

Not with hail – stones the size of pennies were reported in north Orange County, not this far south, according to the National Weather Service.

But for a moment there, it sure sounded like hail. Plus, we got a showing of thunder and lightning as well.

A cold Pacific storm swept through Orange County this afternoon, bringing rain, water spouts and lightning to the region, the National Weather Service reported.

Power went out for 1,290 customers at 2:44 p.m. just about the peak of the storm, said San Diego Gas & Electric spokesman Hanan Eisenman.

While most homes' power has been restored, as of 5:40 p.m., five customers were still without power, Eisenman said.

"We're estimating that we'll have the five customers back online at about 7 p.m.," he said.

It is still unknown whether the outage was weather related, Eisenman said.

San Clemente lifeguards reported seeing a water spout three-quarters of
a mile off the coast, and the funnel-shaped twister briefly touched down on
land before it dissipated, said National Weather Service meteorologist Mark
Moede.

North county cities bore the brunt of the storm, Moede said.

“We got some pretty good amounts in the county in a short period of
time,'” Moede said.

About .55 of an inch of rain was recorded at John Wayne Airport, Moede
said, and about a half-inch of rain fell in South County cities, he said.

The main storm front moved out of the area later in the afternoon, but
scattered showers and chilly temperatures are possible tonight, Moede said.

Lows tonight will be in the upper 40s. Conditions Saturday will be mostly dry, with highs ranging from 58 to 62 degrees, Moede said.

A warming trend will develop Sunday with temperatures in the 70s. The
mercury could reach the 80s by Tuesday, Moede said.

City News Service contributed to this report.