Storm from Alaska could bring rain

Drought-stricken California is expected to get at least a trickle of rain and cooler temperatures over the next few days as a storm moves into the region from the Gulf of Alaska.

The National Weather Service said showers could begin as early as Saturday afternoon in parts of Northern California, including San Francisco, and reach the Los Angeles area on Tuesday.

Snow levels in Southern California could drop to 5,000 feet or lower, bringing a last blush of winter to area mountain resorts.

Los Angeles County is expected to get anywhere from a quarter to half an inch of rain before the weather front moves out of the area Wednesday morning.

“This is probably the last good shot at rain we’ll have for a while,” said Rich Thompson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Cloudy skies will mark Easter Sunday, and temperatures are expected to drop into the 60s by Tuesday.

Most of the rain in the Los Angeles area is expected to fall Tuesday afternoon, with some lingering showers until the storm moves out Wednesday morning, Thompson said.

The wettest months in Southern California are December through March. Since Oct. 1, downtown L.A. has recorded 7.4 inches. About 12.8 inches would be considered normal. The total in March was a paltry 0.87 of an inch.

Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown ordered cities and towns across California to cut water use by 25% as part of a sweeping set of mandatory drought restrictions, the first in state history.