Windy Pacific storm roars ashore: big changes for California

A compact Pacific storm will pinwheel into California today and Wednesday, bringing rain and mountain snow to the state. Gusty winds could produce local power outages.

After a bit of a lull in winter precipitation, California will get a fresh taste of rain and mountain snow. The WeatherRadar shows a compact low-pressure system sending rain ashore with snow falling over the highest elevations of the southern and central Sierras.

The rain will arrive in time for the Bay Area's rush hour, while Los Angeles won't see the rain until tonight into early Wednesday. A few rumbles of thunder cannot be ruled out across Southern California tonight.

Gusty winds will also be this system's calling card. The WindRadar shows high winds rolling into coastal and valley locations. Gusts topping 30 mph tonight and Wednesday could cause local power outages, kick up dust in areas that won't receive rain and make driving more adventurous.

Long-term forecast shows rain and mountain snow chances increase for the second half of the month.