<p> The second of a much-needed winter storm system surged throughout California on Friday with heavy rain and snow spreading across the state and through the Sierras. There was an estimated two to four inches of rain on the coasts and valleys, with an estimated four to eight inches in the foothills and mountains, according to LA Times.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The heaviest rains fell on Friday afternoon across Central and Southern California, while a moderate amount of snow fell over parts of the Sierra. The Weather Channel reports that as of Saturday, 40 inches of snow fell near the Kirkwood Ski Area, 30 inches of snow near Donner Peak, and 18 inches of snow for Soda Springs. Winter storm warnings were in effect in the area due to the chance of thunderstorms, intense rainfall, gusty winds, small hail, and even the possibility of weak tornadoes, according to USA Today.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">While there was a weaker downpour reported over the weekend, any amount of rain is good for the drought-stricken state. Around 11 inches of rain fell in the Monterey and Ventura counties, while downtown Los Angeles saw only approximately 3 inches of rain as of Saturday. However, experts warn that California still faces a deficit of several inches. More storms like this one are desperately needed by California's fruit, vegetable and nut producers, according to the Ventura County Star.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“The drought goes on,” said David Sweet, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard. “It will take several of the storms that we just saw to bring us anywhere close."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The storm also caused road closures and residents of about 1,200 homes in the foothills east of Los Angeles were given mandatory evacuation orders due to increased risk of mudslides, according to the Associated Press.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow, as we continue to follow the California drought and its impacts on fresh produce markets.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
