Storm brings rain and snow, but little relief, to California

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An unusually cold spring storm will bring heavy rain and hail to parts of Northern California today and coat the mountains in snow — a welcome respite that will do little to ease the historic drought, forecasters say.

Up to 2 feet of snow could fall in the Sierra Nevada, according to the National Weather Service. Motorists are urged to use caution on mountain roads, where snow levels could reach 3,500 feet.

Hail was reported in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, where wind advisories were in effect for four bridges, the California Highway Patrol said. Rainy weather slowed the region's commute and caused some wrecks.

In Daly City, south of San Francisco, at least one car was submerged in rainwater that was flooding Interstate 280 on-ramps. In Fremont, a tractor-trailer jack-knifed before sunrise, blocking northbound Interstate 680 for several hours.

But residents were glad to see the drops falling.

"We need it," said Becky Hlebasko of Marin County. The drought has her wondering what to do with her lawn, but she says, "Everybody has to do their part."