After morning showers, the sun came out in Burbank today. Don’t get fooled and ditch that umbrella, the vicious storm system that beat the heck out of the Southland yesterday – is not done yet.

There’s a 20 percent chance of  more rain today — and thunderstorms that could produce hail! It will be breezy, but not like the strong winds we got yesterday. The high will reach only in the 50s here in the Media City.  The weather picture is improving — slowly.

Burbank and the rest of the Southland is getting hammered by a major storm system this afternoon. The rain is coming down in sheets. Powerful winds are whipping through the area.

The National Weather Service says rain is falling at a quarter to a half an inch an hour and that could increase to an inch per hour by nightfall. The NWS has issued a flood advisory for small streams and roadways. Also, there is the chance of mud and rock slides on roadways as well.

A flash flood watch remains in effect for the nearby station fire burn areas, where the potential for flooding and debris flows are a serious concern.

A lot rain falling in Burbank this morning. Just before 9 a.m. lightning flashed across the sky, followed by rumbling thunder in B-town. The calendar says it’s the first day of spring. It still feels like winter. This Pacific storm is pounding the entire Southland and is expected to continue the assault through tonight.

This storm is packing winds 15-to-30 mph with some gusts reaching 45 mph. Also, it’s cold outside. The high in the Media City — only in the 50s.  The weather is pretty nasty out there, so drive with extra care.

National weather service graphic -- Tsunami warning red, advisory orange, watch yellow, and information only green March 11, 2011

In the aftermath of that massive 8.9 earthquake in Japan, a Tsunami is rolling across the Pacific today. Waves have hit Hawaii and are now splashing up on the coast of Southern California. The Los Angeles Times website has extensive coverage — including photos and video.

Your umbrella will probably be your constant companion over the next few days. Rain is in the forecast through next Thursday — which means a whole lot of folks will be scrambling to finish up their holiday shopping under stormy skies.

Weather watchers are saying a series of strong Pacific storms will batter Southern California with winds and periods of heavy rain. In Burbank this morning, raindrops are falling and the winds are kicking up. Also, the temperatures will remain on the chilly side in the Media City. The high today is expected to be in the mid-50s to the low 60s.

Luckily, I didn’t open up an umbrella this morning while standing in the driveway or I might have done the Mary Poppins thing.  The weather watchers say we’re getting gusts between 40-60 mph today with winds 20-to-30 mph. The winds felt more powerful than that in my neighborhood.

In Burbank around 7 a.m., the winds were howling and roaring through the hillside area. Seriously, the wind was so strong I huddled close to my house in case I needed to grab a hold of something sturdy. I scrambled to collect my potted plants, some were already scattered around the yard, before they got tossed into the street.

Weather forecasters say the Santa Ana winds are upon us and will be  blowing through SoCal today and tomorrow. Those dry winds are expected to subside a bit later this afternoon — but another round is headed our way — over the weekend and next week. Along with these devil winds come the threat of power outages, increased fire danger, and travel hazards —especially for semi-trucks, SUVs, and campers.

Also, dspite the bright sunshine, it’s nippy outside.  The high in the Media City today — upper 60s to low 70s.

Jamie Foxx’s new production deal

Actor Jamie Foxx has hooked-up a new production deal with Writer/Producer/Director, Deon Taylor. No Brainer Films reportedly will be scouting for films and TV projects under $10 million. Details over on Deadline.com

Lady Gaga & her fans invade Staples Center

Photo:Kirk McKay/Los Angeles Times -- Two of the many fans who dressed in Lady Gaga-style for the singer's concert at Staples Center in L.A., August 11, 2010

Pop sensation, Lady Gaga, wraps up a two-concert gig at Staples Center tonight. Some of the fans at last night’s concert showed up in Gaga-inspired outfits. More photos and a review of Gaga’s Monster Ball show on the Los Angeles Times website.

Billy Idol still rocking

A flash from the past, 80s Rocker Billy Idol, can still put on quite a performance. Last night Idol took to the stage for two shows at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula. Inland SoCal Music Blogger, Vanessa Franko, was there and posted a review on her AudioFile blog today. Franko’s got Idol concert photos, too. Also, Idol is set to rock that same venue again at a sold-out concert tomorrow.

I know it was not the “Big One” we’ve all been dreading here in Southern California, but yesterday’s quake felt like a major shaker to me. So what if the U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude was a measly 2.9. I’m telling you, when it struck at around 3:58 p.m. yesterday afternoon, I thought, uh-oh, this is going to be a wild ride.

First, I hear the roar and then came the rough shaking of the house. I was at the computer and literally grabbed the corner’s of the table to have something to hold onto. The epicenter reportedly was about three miles north of nearby La Crescenta.  Well, it felt like the epicenter was right under my Burbank home or at least on my block.

No damage in my place. Putting things in perspective, I have to admit as earthquakes go, yesterday’s rocker was probably on the lightweight end of the scale of what we get here in the Southland. A little reminder that we live in earthquake country.  The kind of reminder I don’t need for say, another couple of years or so. However, I doubt it will be that long before I experience another quake.

Get those umbrellas out!  Major rainstorms are bearing down on Southern California. In Burbank this morning, light rain fell off and on. Weather experts say it’s just a precursor to some serious storm drama.  Yes, that means Valentine’s Day will more than likely be wet and cold. Yet, I doubt that will slow the celebration of love on Saturday; and that’s as it should be.

The first wave of bad weather is expected to pound our area this afternoon through the evening. Weather reports say we could get thunderstorms, hail, and gusty winds. A second big storm is supposed to roll through sometime on Sunday. And another one could slam into the Southland on Tuesday.

We got hit pretty hard with some storms just a short while ago. The ground hasn’t really had time to dry out and that increases the chances of flooding, and not just in the areas that were ravaged by wildfires last year. So drive carefully and stay on the alert!

Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times

Palm trees drooped under the weight of snow at the Antelope Valley Mall during last week’s powerful storm in the Southland.

Today is the first official day of winter. Despite what the calendar says we got hammered by a serious winter storm last week. More stormy weather is headed our way with wind, rain, snow, and cold temperatures. In fact, it could be a wet and rainy Christmas 2008 in Southern California.

Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times

A stranded motorist shoveled some of the snow on the Avenue “S” on ramp to the closed southbound 14 Freeway in Palmdale on 12/18/08.