‘Atmospheric river’ dumps heavy rain, snow across California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A powerful storm is ushering in the new year in California, with much of the state witnessing heavy rainfall or snow. Flooding and rock slides have closed portions of roads in northern California. In the high Sierra Nevada, as much as 2 feet of snow could accumulate Saturday into early Sunday. Chains or four-wheel drive are being required for vehicles on many roads through the mountains. The National Weather Service in Sacramento says the atmospheric river storm is pulling in a long and wide plume of moisture from the Pacific Ocean. One ski resort south of Lake Tahoe closed a chair lift because of flooding.