Rain raises concerns for flash flooding in California on Monday
The entire Golden State is experiencing drought conditions
Storm system could bring more than a month's worth of rain to parts of CA
Heavy rain is possible across coastal southern California where 1-2 inches of rain will be possible by Tuesday.
A storm system pushing onshore along the West Coast will bring some rain and mountain snow across the region, which could mean some relief for the drought-stricken area.
The exact amounts of precipitation will depend on an area's location, with lower elevations and places along the coast seeing rain and the foothills and higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada Mountains seeing higher snow totals.
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In terms of rain, the heaviest totals will be seen from the San Francisco Bay Area and points south into the Los Angeles metro area through Tuesday.
Most areas will likely see less than an inch of rain, but areas closer to the coast could pick up 1 to 2 inches, with some locally higher amounts.
Several inches of rain could fall where the heaviest bands set up as the system moves onshore during the day on Monday.
Areas like Santa Barbara and Glendale, California, could see anywhere from 2 to 3 inches of rain, raising concerns about the risk of flash flooding in the region.
A Flood Watch is in effect from the Monterey area southward to Big Sur and Gorda. Flash flooding is also possible within the Dolan and Colorado burn-scar areas.
In mountainous regions where temperatures will be colder, snow will be possible starting on Monday, and in some areas, accumulations could be heavy.
Meteorologists warn the Sierra Nevada could pick up a foot or two of new powder.
Anyone traveling in those regions through Tuesday is being asked to monitor conditions and take it slow on the roads.
The needed precipitation couldn't come at a better time for California, as the state recently reported its driest January and February on record.
Los Angeles has seen 0.34 inches of rainfall since the start of the year, which is more than half a foot below average.
On average, the area should have picked up nearly 9 inches of rain to date.
The drought monitor shows that most of the state is in the same predicament as Southern California, with many areas experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions.
The storm system's beneficial rain and snow are expected to wind down on Tuesday as the system continues its eastward trek on its cross-country excursion.
By that time, the Los Angeles area could pick up 1 to 2 inches of rain, while in Santa Barbara, 2 to 3 inches could fall.
San Francisco, Paradise and Fresno, California, will likely see less than a half-inch of rain through Tuesday.
As the system's moisture moves into the Plains, meteorologists are warning about the threat of severe storms.