A Pacific storm system brought some much-needed rain to Southern California on Tuesday and snow to the higher elevations.
Showers reached the Los Angeles basin by Tuesday afternoon, and a chance of rain was forecast overnight.
Skies should begin to clear by Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
The moderate rain storm was likely to bring about a quarter of an inch to half an inch of rain to Los Angeles and Ventura counties. San Bernardino and Orange counties may receive less than a quarter of an inch of rain, according to the weather service.
Heavier showers were expected to fall in the mountains and foothills.
Gusty southwest winds should precede the storm, bringing wind speeds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts to 50 mph in some inland areas.
Power outages were reported in Venice and Pasadena Tuesday night. It was not clear if they were weather-related.
Cooler temperatures will help drop snow levels to 4,500 feet by late Tuesday night, according to the weather service.
Two to 4 inches of snow were expected to fall in the Los Angeles and San Bernardino County mountains, with amounts up to 6 inches possible, the weather service stated.
The storm arrives about a week after Gov. Jerry Brown said mandatory water conservation measures would go into effect for the first time in California history.
Brown made the announcement as state officials reported the lowest-ever snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, which provides about a third of California’s fresh water.
Rain and snow from Tuesday’s storm was not expected to provide much relief for the drought-stricken region.
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