California may see the first widespread rain event of the water year, although how much rain and snow will actually fall — and where — is a question that has so far eluded forecasters. A low pressure system moving south from the Gulf of Alaska will bring cooler temperatures and moderate rain Tuesday through Friday throughout the Golden State, forecasters say. But the atmospheric river they once thought would set up shop off the coast of California appears to have fizzled. For the central and northern coast, the National Weather Service Bay Area predicts periods of moderate rainfall starting Tuesday morning. However, the area will likely see 1.5 inches of rain or less during the week as the system has slowed down and weakened. 

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• USA Today: The West is running out of water. A heavy snow could help, but will it come this winter?
• SF Gate: Looming California storm harder to forecast than usual, experts say
• New York Times: An Atmospheric River Will Bring Rain and Snow to California This Week
• Washington Post: California faces first fall rains in what could be a stormy season