Storm Brings Long-Overdue Rain, Snow To Northern California
(CBS/AP) — Umbrellas were out on Monday as a rainstorm ushered in a two-day wet-weather system heading from the Pacific to the Sierra Nevada.
The system moving across California brought cool, wet weather to low-lying areas and snow to the mountains. The welcome moisture will not end the state's four-year drought, but forecasters expect a strong El Nino winter to bring above-average precipitation to parts of the state.
Chains or snow tires were required on many mountain highways in Eastern California, including around Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes. Forecasts called for up to 9 inches of snow along Sierra Nevada mountain passes and up to 1½ feet at the highest peaks by Tuesday.
Snow also pushed into western Nevada. The Reno Gazette-Journal reported that that the snow was setting the stage for what could be a difficult commute. Numerous power outages were reported as a winter weather advisory for the greater Reno-Sparks, Carson City, and Douglas County areas was in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.
The low-pressure system from the Gulf of Alaska produced only a quarter-inch of rain in San Francisco itself, but dropped up to three-quarters of an inch in adjacent counties and over an inch in some parts of Monterey, Santa Cruz and the San Joaquin Valley, the National Weather Service said.
Foothill communities in Calaveras and El Dorado counties received more than 2 inches of rain.
The skies are expected to clear in the Sacramento area, with rain clearing out of the region by about noon Tuesday. Temperatures will not be as cold as they were on Monday, with the high reaching 60 degrees. Light flurries are expected in the Sierra at 4,000 feet.
The remainder of the week is expected to be dry, but more cold and rain is forecast in the San Francisco Bay Area by Sunday. Additional rain also is forecast along the Central Coast and in Southern California.
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