California

Storm Dumps Rain, Hail, Snow Across California

The first winter-like storm this season blasted California with rain, snow and cooler weather on Monday, prompting officials to put some areas hit hard by recent wildfires on flash flood alert.

A slight chance of thunderstorms is expected Monday afternoon with the skies expected to clear by Tuesday.

The storm also brought risk of trouble to areas hit by wildfires earlier this year. Flash flood warnings were posted in Yolo, Lake and Colusa counties, where heavy rain had the potential to unleash debris flows from burn areas, the weather service said.

The National Weather Service says a cold front coming from the Pacific Northwest has already dropped some rain in the Sacramento region.

Some cities in the San Francisco Bay Area have already seen nearly an inch of rain. Power outages and traffic accidents were widespread across the region.

Hail fell in parts of Sonoma and Napa counties.

Forecasters said the storm could dump up to 8 inches of snow at about 7,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada, and possibly up to 12 inches of snow along the highest mountain peaks.

In Southern California, forecasters warn of rough seas and gusty winds due to the cold unstable air.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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