CALIFORNIA - Parched Southern California could see a refreshing spritz of rain as we head into the final week of October. A storm system brewing towards the end of the week is expected to bring rain to much of the state, and even add to the snowpack in the state’s higher elevations. 

As reported by AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Rinde, Thursday and Friday will see California getting doused by a storm from inland across northern and central California. And while the heaviest rain is expected to fall across the northern and central parts of the state, in a rare turn of events, some rain may also spread to some of the state's most “in-need” areas, such as Fresno, Bakersfield, and Los Angeles.

"Rainfall amounts will vary widely, but rainfall totals are expected to range between 0.50 and 2 inches," Rinde said. AccuWeather says that higher amounts are possible across the Sierra. Southern California also has the potential to receive higher levels of rainfall if a system brewing off the coast of Mexico gets involved, the weather source notes.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor released on October 20, more than 40 percent of California is dealing with extreme to exceptional drought conditions. The rain, of course, will aid to the state’s fight against dry conditions, but will also likely cause travel disruptions and localized flash flooding into Friday. AccuWeather highlighted that portions of Interstates 5, 10, 15, 40, and 80 may see delays.

"Any substantial rain in central and Southern California could create slick conditions for travelers as the rain water mixes with the oil residue left behind during the dry summer months," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist, Kristina Pydynowski, added.

Southern California will likely dry out as we head into the weekend, but wet weather may continue in the northern and central parts of the state across the weekend as a new storm rolls onshore.