… A late-season storm has brought rain across much of California, particularly the northern half, and snow to the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada range. Many locations have recorded a quarter inch to an inch of rain this week. The precipitation is welcome at a time of year when vegetation is drying out and the risk of wildfires is increasing. … But the low threat of fires is not expected to last long with a return to warm, dry weather forecast for next week. … On Tuesday, thunderstorms rumbled through the Central Valley, and short bursts of rain and hail were reported in the greater Sacramento area. On Wednesday, snow dusted the Sierra Nevada. … “These are beneficial rains, nothing that causes flooding,” said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center.

Other California storm and water supply news:

• The Fresno Bee (Calif.): Storms bring showers, ‘erratic winds’ to Central Valley. How long will it rain?
• San Francisco Chronicle: Bay Area weather improves this weekend, but the coast stays cool
• Berkeleyside (Calif.): Where Berkeley’s water supply stands after spring heat wiped out our ‘frozen reservoir’
• Gold Mountain California News Media (Auburn, Calif.): El Dorado Water Agency grant funds to help support urban water supply