Heavy rain pelted parts of Los Angeles County early Monday, causing a flash flood advisory to be issued over a wide swath of the region after midnight. As workers prepared for their Monday morning commute, they were met with the 5 Freeway through the Grapevine being shut down due to snow and no estimate on when it would reopen. The 101 Freeway in downtown was reopened at 6 a.m. after being closed for flooding. Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu was also closed, along with several other canyon roads including Topanga Canyon. Between one-fifth of an inch and 1 inch of rain has fallen so far across the region since the storm began Saturday night, and an additional one-tenth of an inch to half an inch is expected. Mud, rock and debris flows, which forecasters say could affect roads and homes in and below the burned areas, continue to be a concern through Monday as heavy, localized rainfall is possible.

Related articles:

• The Associated Press: Rain in Southern California creates mudflows but helps firefighters
• NPR: Rain gives LA wildfire relief but officials warn of mudslides and toxic ash
• Newsweek: ‘Life Threatening’: Flash flood warnings in place in LA
• NBC 7 San Diego: Many San Diegans welcome winter storm bringing rain to the region
• CBS 8 San Diego: How does rain impact wildfire risk
• Los Angeles Daily News: How drought has hurt Southern California, and what it means for the future
• Weather West blog: Widespread rain in SoCal to temporarily alleviate fire concerns by Sunday; SoCal drought still likely to expand rest of winter