Expect more wet weather this week after storm dumps rain, some snow on North State

Call Sunday’s rain and snow that fell over the North State the opening act for wetter weather that's expected this week starting Tuesday night.

“These are the (wettest systems) in terms of where we are getting multiple ones in a row that are definitely significant precipitation,” National Weather Service meteorologist Shad Keene said of the two systems arriving later this week. Keene is based in Medford, Oregon.

But despite the moisture, officials said the threat of wildfire persists as the outdoor burn ban is still in effect within the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection responsibility area of Shasta and eastern Trinity counties.

The wet weather that arrived Sunday night dropped between one-tenth of an inch to more than an inch of rain in Shasta County, depending on the location.

In Siskiyou County, about a half-inch of rain fell in the Mount Shasta region, the National Weather Service said.

Some of the higher elevations got snow, including Chester, where the Dixie Fire burned this summer, and areas of the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County.

Approximately an inch of snow fell in Chester and there were reports of 3 to 5 inches of snow in the Caldor Fire area, said Idamis Del Valle, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Sacramento.

The Mt. Shasta Ski Park in Siskiyou County received a light dusting of snow at its base elevation, according to its online mountain web cam.

Sunday’s wet weather also was responsible for knocking out power to more than 1,500 Pacific Gas & Electric Co. customers in eastern Shasta County, the utility said.

Customers in Shingletown, Viola and Whitmore lost power around 4 a.m. Monday. Their electricity had been turned back on by early Monday afternoon.

Starting Tuesday night and through the weekend, the greater Redding area could see more than 2 inches of rain from a relatively warm system, with snow levels hovering between 6,000 feet and 7,000 feet.

“We aren’t anticipating much snow,” Del Valle said.

In Siskiyou County, Keene of the National Weather Service said a combined two-plus inches of rain is expected from the two systems. Snow levels also will be high in Siskiyou County.

“We have got two of what I would call southern-flow systems … and what that does in places like Siskiyou County, Mount Shasta in particular gets some of the heaviest rainfall,” Keene said.

"Overall, it's a nice, favorable pattern of some good rainfall over Northern California."

Keene said the two systems also will bring some high winds, especially in the Shasta Valley between Weed and Yreka.

Meanwhile, Cal Fire spokeswoman Cheryl Buliavac said there is a still a need for people to be in that fire prevention and safety mindset.

Also, with the cooler weather and snow falling in higher elevations, residents are starting to use wood-burning stoves to heat their homes.

“We want to remind everyone to do that safely,” she said, reminding people to discard ashes properly and make sure chimney flues are clean.

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-225-8219. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.