Residents of California were hit with a powerful storm on New Year’s Day, bringing drenching rain and heavy snowfall to much of the state. Traffic and major highways were snarled, and at least 40,000 customers were still without power in the state’s capital on Sunday, down from more than 150,000 a day earlier.
More than 4 feet (1.2 meters) of snow had accumulated in the high Sierra Nevada, and the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area said heavy, wet snow would cause major delays in chairlift openings. Crews cleared downed trees from roads and sidewalks in the capital, while the Sacramento region could receive a total of 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 centimeters) of rain over the week.
Rainfall in downtown San Francisco hit 5.46 inches (13.87 cm) on New Year’s Eve, making it the second-wettest day on record, behind a November 1994 deluge. Videos on Twitter showed mud-colored water streaming along San Francisco streets, and a staircase in Oakland turned into a veritable waterfall by heavy rains.
The past three years have been the state’s driest on record — but much more precipitation is needed to make a significant difference. Despite the storm, the weather cleared up in time for spectators to begin staking out their spots for the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena.
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