Some rain is gracing the Golden State today, which is experiencing abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions.

With storms a rarity this winter, a system paralleling the coast is bringing a rainy day to coastal and some inland areas of California.

A few tenths of an inch of rain are in store for most of northern and central California with amounts dwindling farther south. However, a soaking will reach as far south as San Diego and into Baja California, Mexico, as the day progresses.

A bit of rain will fall over the San Joaquin Valley into the evening.

Most desert areas will barely have enough to dampen the ground, but there can be a few exceptions.

As with most rain in California, and especially since it is so infrequent this year, motorists should allow extra stopping distance and use caution when cornering at intersections. Enough rain will fall to cause isolated incidents of urban flooding.

Since the storm is moving southeastward, rather than pushing substantially inland, the Sierra Nevada will more or less constitute the eastward extent of the precipitation with up to a few inches of snow over some of the southwest facing ridges. There may be enough snow to make for slushy spots over Donner Pass.

The rain will end from northwest to southeast across California during the afternoon and evening hours. The rain should taper to spotty showers during the evening rush around San Francisco and Sacramento but will continue through the evening rush in Los Angeles and San Diego.

The storm will grow stronger and will unload more substantial rain and mountain snow over central Mexico during the end of the week.