By Reginald Stanley. Posted March 30, 2022, 2:55 AM.

A Pacific storm brought much-needed rain to the region Monday and early Tuesday, however drought conditions continue to grow amid a drier-than-average wet season.

A significant wave of moderate-to-heavy precipitation arrived around noon on Monday for most of the Inland Empire, and earlier in the morning in Simi Valley to the northwest. Following an afternoon pause in the rainfall, additional rain resumed across much of the region Monday evening and continued until shortly after midnight Tuesday. Some of the heaviest precipitation fell during this period, as the low pressure system moved across the southern portion of the state - eventually exiting to the east after midnight. Storm totals ranged from as high as 1.55 inches in East Highland (courtesy of Peter Michas) to as low as 0.41 inches in San Jacinto. A total of 1.31 inches was also reported in Temecula Valley's Wine Country (courtesy of Jim Sappington). In the WeatherCurrents network, Simi Valley recorded the highest total with 1.25 inches. A considerable drop-off in precipitation occurs after Simi Valley, with Temecula recording the next highest total with 0.88 inches, followed by 0.75 inches in Riverside (Orangecrest). The remainder of the active WeatherCurrents stations recorded totals between 0.41 inches (San Jacinto) and 0.73 inches (Perris). In Yucaipa, 0.72 inches was reported (courtesy of Don Kramer).

Storm totals were modest inland, however many areas fell short of what was expected. Temecula and some of its surrounding areas, as well as Simi Valley and East Highland, were all exceptions to this rule. The storm was the most significant the region had experienced since late December of 2021. Onshore flow will keep areas west of the mountains cool this week, while a weak disturbance may bring light showers to parts of San Diego County on Thursday morning. Upper level ridging returns next week to the Southwest, bringing warmer temperatures throughout the week.

Here are the rain totals for the WeatherCurrents network and associates:

1. Anza season total inaccurate.