A powerful storm system will slam into the West Coast early Tuesday morning,with the first rounds of rain arriving along the California Coast tonight.Windswept rain will soak much of the West Coast, with showers expandingeastward into the Intermountain West.
The heaviest rain will target northern and central California, dousing the areawith 2 to 4 inches of rain. Locally higher amounts topping half a foot of rainwill inundate some. A high freezing level will confine snow to the high SierraNevada above 7000 feet, where snow will fall by the foot.
Travelers in the area will face a myriad of potential hindrances. Floodingproblems could arise from the sudden rush of rainfall, with low lying and poordrainage areas especially susceptible.
windswept rain will reduce visibility, and gusty winds will augment thetreacherous driving conditions.
On the other hand, the rain will come as a welcome relief to drought strickenCalifornia. A large portion of the Golden State has fallen into the grip of asevere drought. While chipping away at the drought, the wet weather will alsoaid in the prevention and containment of wildfires.
Story By AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Katie Storbeck.
