Deanna Leon says she's been reminding her family members, especially her mother, to prepare for rainy commutes. "Just the other day we were washing the car and doing the windows, I looked at her windshield wipers checked."
Leon isn't the only one concerned with visibility. Outside this auto parts store, the trash cans are filled with old worn out wiper blades. Workers at Wal-Mart, down the street, were also busy replacing windshield wipers.
Sunday afternoon's rain storm made for a wet commute in the South Valley. The Highway Patrol said that is usually a bad thing for drivers. But, they say, there were no major accidents caused by the rain. "That doesn't mean that people shouldn't slow down when it rains, and watch their speeds and watch for roadway flooding," said Joel Heckman with the C.H.P.
As the storm wraps up, blue skies and sunshine peak through the clouds over the Central Valley with the promise of more rain later this week.
It was a good first weekend on the slopes for winter sports fans. Staff at China Peak Mountain Resort say about 8 inches of snow fell throughout the day.
On Sunday, steady snow fall mixed with chilly temperatures along Highway 168 forced Charles Glandon to put chains on his tires. Glandon says, "It was kind of slippery so I am putting my chains on; going back down I don't have a lot of traction on my tires."
By late afternoon California Highway Patrol reported three spin outs during the day and one, two-car crash. CHP says no one was hurt.
Nearby business owners told Action News they rely on the fresh powder to boost their income. Norman Kato owns Shaver Coffee and Deli. Kato says heavy snow attracts skiers to China Peak. He's counting on those skiers to make a pit stop at his store. Kato adds, "Right now it's the first storm. I think everybody is kind of leery of coming out. Hopefully this coming weekend, Thanksgiving week, we'll get plenty of snow. "
Up the street, Heather Leon with Angelo's Restaurant & Bakery is grateful for the early snow fall. Leon says, "Thanksgiving is when it usually starts to hit, so this is a nice thing to get us going for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season."
