Pacific Storms Bring Big Waves, Promise More

Wave addicts got their fix Sunday. Today could be even better.

Despite cool temperatures, gray skies and an occasional sprinkle, throngs of surfers flocked to Ventura County beaches to take advantage of big waves.

“It’s the first good surf we’ve had here in awhile,” said 27-year-old Todd Luman, who spent the day in the water. “As long as it lasts, I’ll be out.”

The west swell, generated from a series of storms in the central Pacific, began pounding county beaches late Sunday morning and increased throughout the day.

According to Bruce Rockwell, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Oxnard, the swell is expected to peak early today with sets that could reach 11 feet at some west-facing beaches.

By midday Sunday, more than 80 surfers were in the water at Surfers Point in Ventura, enjoying the watery bounty.

“I should’ve probably been home watching the [football] playoffs, but I couldn’t pass this up,” said 33-year-old Dale Rees. “If it’s this good tomorrow, I’ll probably have to skip work.”

The swell may continue to bring big surf to the Southern California coast Tuesday.

For those who don’t surf, however, Sunday was best spent indoors.

A weak band of scattered showers moved through Southern California during the morning and dumped as much as half an inch of rain in some sections of Ventura County. The system, which is expected to move out of the area today, also left a surprise for residents of Frazier Park--almost two inches of snow.

Despite the rain and foul weather, no major traffic accidents or weather-related damage were reported.

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County Rainfall

Here are rainfall figures from the Ventura County Flood Control Department for the 24-hour period ending at 6 p.m. Sunday. Oct. 1 is the beginning of the official rain year.

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Rainfall Rainfall Normal rainfall Location last 24 hours since Oct. 1 to date Camarillo 0.16 8.97 5.47 Casitas Dam 0.12 17.41 9.17 Casitas Rec. Center 0.79 16.69 9.27 Fillmore 0.28 13.55 7.68 Matilija Dam 0.08 19.93 10.05 Moorpark 0.35 9.74 5.79 Upper Ojai 0.08 17.38 8.63 Oxnard 0.31 9.17 5.57 Piru 0.20 10.18 6.61 Port Hueneme 0.28 8.06 5.53 Santa Paula 0.08 12.30 6.98 Simi Valley 0.24 9.48 5.52 Thousand Oaks 0.39 9.87 5.90 Ventura Govt. Center 0.04 10.47 6.17

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