Heavy rain and snow pummel California after a season of historic wildfires

A powerful atmospheric river formation has led to flash flood and avalanche warnings but brings relief from dry conditions

The most powerful storm yet this season is pummeling California, drenching the northern part of the state on Monday and dumping several feet of snow on the Sierra Nevada mountaintops before sliding south Tuesday.

The deluge was a welcome relief from dry conditions, but wreaked havoc on roads, caused power outages, and raised the threats of mudslides in areas scarred by wildfires.