Spring storm brings more rain and snow to California

Rain and snow continued to fall Thursday on parts of California as a wet spring following a no-show winter pushed back against resurgent dryness that spread over three-quarters of the state this year.

Mountain peaks from the Sierra Nevada to major ranges crossing Southern California glistened with new coats of white as hillsides sported increasingly vivid shades of green fueled by precipitation that began in March after a largely withering January and February.

The latest storm entered the state from the north last weekend and slowly moved down the coast.

In its fifth day, it was still drawing bands of rain into Southern California and producing remarkable amounts of snow at higher elevations.

For downtown Los Angeles, the rainfall erased a big seasonal deficit and put the total to date above average, with chances for more continuing into Friday. The storm’s snowfall at the Mountain High resort topped 31 inches.

The U.S. Drought Monitor’s weekly update Thursday, reflecting data as of April 7, showed the effects of the spring storms on California.

The overall area affected by a condition called “abnormally dry” as well as drought declined from about 75% of the state to just under 68%.

The monitor cited “beneficial precipitation” in the higher elevations of the Sierra and the Trinity Mountains in Northern California, the Central Coast mountains and the Transverse Ranges of Southern California.

The designation of abnormal dryness was removed from many areas along the coast from Monterey County south to San Diego County.

The total area considered to be in the first stages of drought held steady at about 43% of the state.

Three months ago, the state was almost entirely free of any level of dryness.

Despite the spring storms and very full reservoirs, California’s snowpack remains below normal. State authorities have urged people to use water wisely, saying the climate continues to show extreme unpredictability.