California Rain and Snow: Funnel Cloud Spotted Over Sacramento

Drought-plagued California has received multiple rounds of wet weather this week, but it's nowhere near enough to squash all of the thirsty state's drought issues.

The first storm rushed ashore on Sunday, bringing snow to some areas in the higher elevations and even reports of small hail in northwestern California. The pea-sized hail covered roadways and yards in several towns, according to the National Weather Service. A second wave came through Monday and Tuesday, bringing more much-needed rain and snow to the Golden State.

There was even some severe weather associated with the second wave, as a funnel cloud was spotted over Sacramento late Tuesday afternoon. Even though some areas in the higher elevations received more than a foot of snow, according to local storm reports, it's merely a drop in the proverbial bucket that's a years-long drought gripping the state.

Only one town recorded more than an inch of rain from this system; Grass Valley received 1.07 inches, but most areas saw far less, according to local storm reports. The storms also brought strong winds as high as 70 mph. While experts tell The Sacramento Bee the rain should be a small boost to some of the state's historically low reservoirs, it won't be enough to replenish the state's water deficit. The heaviest rain isn't expected to fall on southern California, where the reservoirs with the lowest water levels are located. The struggling ski resorts were eagerly hoping the forecast would pan out. Heavenly Mountain ski resort now believes it will have enough snow to stay open for at least two more weeks, according to a separate L.A. Times report. And at a time when the state's snowpack should be at its peak, 88 of the 123 spots where NASA measures for snow across the Golden State had no snow at all on April 1.

The coming dry season was one of many reasons for Gov. Jerry Brown's decision to order the first-ever mandatory water restrictions for the state last week.

http://www.weather.com/news/news/california-storm-rain-snow-impacts