The big storm pounding other parts of California is hitting Fresno and other Valley cities with steady showers accompanied by the usual consequences like traffic accidents and power outages.

About a quarter-inch of rain fell Monday on Fresno and moderate precipitation is expected today through this afternoon. But there is a chance of evening thunderstorms, the National Weather Service in Hanford said.

More than 2,800 customers in PG&E’s Fresno Division were without power Tuesday morning. The largest outage affected about 1,400 customers in Lemoore, PG&E spokesman Denny Boyles said in an email.

And, the Merced Mall lost power at 2:40 a.m.

“Crews are on site and working to restore the customers now,” Boyles said.

Downpour at Merced Airport

Though Fresno has been spared heavy rain, the northern reaches of the Valley are getting drenched. The NWS reported that nearly 5 inches had fallen in the Mariposa County foothills and the Merced Airport had received 1.25 inches by 5 a.m. Tuesday.

A new storm is expected to arrive Wednesday night and last through Thursday, according to the NWS forecast. After a dry weekend, there is a 20% chance of rain again on Monday.

More Than Eight Feet of Snow Expected

The multiday storm, a powerful “atmospheric river” weather system that is sucking up moisture from the Pacific Ocean, raised the threat of flooding and was expected to dump more than 8 feet of snow on the highest peaks in California and Nevada and drench other parts of the two states before it’s done.

While the storm is typical for this time of year in California, it will deliver the first big snow of the season — good news for a state gripped by drought.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort was closed Monday, saying on social media that it was not safe to open with 17 inches of overnight snow and high winds. A California Highway Patrol car in Truckee nudged a big-rig up a snowy hill while smaller vehicles spun out, resulting in minor bumps and bruises but no real injuries, CHP Officer Carlos Perez said.

“It’s just so bad and so thick,” Perez said of the snowfall. “We’re telling people that if they don’t need to be around this area, they probably shouldn’t travel.”

Heavy snow/rain across the parks today! The Generals Hwy is closed one mile inside the Sequoia entrance due to concerns about post-fire slope instability. In Kings, heavy wet snow is creating challenging driving conditions, even for 4WD vehicles and vehicles with tire chains. pic.twitter.com/M1oLggcSPm

— Sequoia & Kings Cyn (@SequoiaKingsNPS) December 14, 2021

Seven Inches of Rain in Santa Barbara

Rain drenched Southern California today as the storm slid down the state, snarling traffic as vehicles spun out and raising the threat of mudslides in areas scarred by wildfires.

Nearly 7 inches fell before dawn in one area of Santa Barbara County, the NWS said.

Residents of communities near the Alisal Fire burn scar in Santa Barbara County were ordered Monday to evacuate over concerns that heavy rains might cause flooding and debris flows that could inundate hillside homes. A similar order was issued for people living in several communities near another burn scar in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles.

(Associated Press contributed to this article.)