Light rain slows morning commute across Sonoma County

The first rain in the North Bay in more than five months dampened roads and slowed morning commuters but did little to ease the lingering drought.

Less than two-tenths of an inch of rain fell on Santa Rosa between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the National Weather Service said.

The light storm was expected to pass by noon and no rain was forecast for the remainder of the week, meteorologist Austin Cross said.

It was the first rain since April 4, when the area received just over a tenth of an inch, Cross said.

'It was just enough to remind people what rain is like but not enough to do anything about the drought,' Cross said.

Since Jan. 1, Santa Rosa has had about 12 inches of rain, which is about 10 inches short of normal for this time of year, Cross said.

The annual average rainfall is about 31 inches, he said.

He said another small storm coming off the Pacific is possible by the middle of next week.

Thursday's storm slowed Highway 101 commuters, causing minor spin-outs but no major accidents, the CHP said Thursday.

County road workers said a tree had fallen across Dutcher Creek Road near Cloverdale, blocking the lanes.

Crews were en route to remove it.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.