Updated Nov. 21, 2019 4:39 AM
The first widespread rain of the wet season began on Tuesday across the Southwest, prompting flash flood warnings, wind advisories and beach hazard statements along the coast.
As heavy rain fell across the deserts of southwestern California, radar estimates suggest that some areas picked up more than half of their average annual rainfall on Tuesday alone.
And there's more to come across the Southwest into Thursday.
Needles, California, located in eastern San Bernardino County, received 1.36 inches of rain from Tuesday into Wednesday. In just two days, the city received nearly 30% of its average for the entire year.
Blythe, California, which is in far eastern Riverside County near the Arizona border, picked up 0.92 of an inch of rain Tuesday and Wednesday, which is more than the city averages from October to December combined (0.91 of an inch).
ABC7 in Los Angeles reported early Wednesday that over 100 vehicles became stranded due to flooding in the Mojave Desert along state route 62 at mile marker 125.
Hail was also reported in and around Los Angeles as some some the heaviest downpours moved through the city on Wednesday.
During some much-needed heavy rainfall, hail also came with the precipitation in Culver City, California, on Nov. 20.
The first major push of rain into the region came from the remaining energy from former Tropical Storm Raymond as it tracked northward up the Baja Peninsula. Through the day on Wednesday, moisture from this wave of energy will spread across the Four Corners region, bringing rain and snow for some.
The second major slug of rain came Wednesday as a second piece of upper-level energy tracked into the Southern California coastline.
This satellite loop shows an expansive storm system spreading rain into the southwestern U.S. early Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (Image/NOAA GOES East)
Showers and thunderstorms continued to stream into far Southern California Wednesday night, with the heaviest downpours falling across San Diego County.
Much of the San Diego County coastline picked up between 0.50 and 1.00 inch of rain on Wednesday, with the highest mountains receiving over 2 inches.
San Diego International Airport received 0.62 of an inch of rain from Tuesday into Wednesday, which is more than 60% of what the city averages in the month of November.
Localized heavy rainfall in this area will likely lead to major travel delays. Motorists on interstates 5, 8, 15, 805 and many other area roadways can expect a slow go during their commute.
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Areas across the West that have not received rain from this storm system have still had to deal with adverse conditions. Portions of Northern and Central California have had gusty winds develop, bringing a high fire threat to the area.
On Tuesday, utility company Pacific Gas & Electric instituted another round of power shutoffs to reduce the risk of wildfire ignition. The outages affect approximately 150,000 customers in 18 counties in portions of the Sierra Foothills, the North Bay and the North Valley.
"The decision was based on weather forecasts indicating the potential for high winds and dry conditions leading to increased fire risk," the utility said in a statement.
According to PG&E's website, power is expected to be restored to most customers on Thursday.
For those living across the higher elevations, accumulating snow is expected from this storm as well. Winter storm warnings are in effect for some elevations above 6,000 feet in the southern Sierra Nevada and Kern County mountains, which includes Yosemite National Park and Sequoia & Kings National Park.
Spotty showers will continue to persist across the Southwest on Thursday, but coverage of the wet weather will greatly diminish across the region.
As the storm system continues to trek eastward, dry and settled conditions will return to the region over the weekend.
Download the free AccuWeather app to check the forecast in your area. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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