Flooding closes four Palm Springs roads. How much rain did we get?

Portions of North Gene Autry Trail, Indian Canyon Drive, East Vista Chino and Araby Drive remain closed Thursday, Jan. 1 due to flooding.

South Araby Drive is closed between Anza Trail and Stagecoach Road due to flooding. North Indian Canyon Drive remains closed between Sunrise Parkway and Garnet Avenue at the wash, and East Vista Chino remains closed between Clubhouse View Drive and Carmela Drive in Palm Springs. The four road closures were reported between 9:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve and 5:20 p.m. New Year’s Day.

So, how much rain have we gotten so far?

More: Flooding shuts down road in Desert Hot Springs on New Year’s Day

Palm Springs rain totals

Philip Gonsalves, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego, urged motorists to exercise caution and avoid driving through low-water crossings during a conversation about rainfall totals.

He said Palm Springs recorded about 0.58 inches of rain in the past 12 hours. The city typically receives less than a tenth of an inch on any given day this time of year.

By comparison, the city recorded 0.34 inches of rain on New Year’s Eve and 0.58 inches since midnight Thursday, with additional rain possible before the day ends.

Meteorologists track rainfall from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, which captures the region’s full rainy season. In total, since October, Palm Springs has received 2.34 inches of rain, exceeding the normal 1.11 inches for that period.

Winter storms typically bring limited rain to desert areas because surrounding mountains block much of the moisture — a rain shadow effect. The low-pressure system, Gonsalves said, pulled in deep tropical moisture from farther south, with moisture extending high into the atmosphere, allowing rain to fall even in areas that are usually shielded by the mountains.

Palm Springs rain forecast

Showers are expected to taper off by mid to late afternoon Thursday as rain moves northeast out of San Diego County. Light, isolated showers could linger overnight, but they are expected to be brief and scattered.

The added moisture, however, comes with trade-offs.

“Everything comes with advantages and disadvantages, right? From one perspective, it’s a good thing, but it comes with risks,” he said. “And in Southern California, one of the risks is flooding.”

As rain ushered in the new year across the Coachella Valley, it’s the kind of start that invites a little puddle-jumping while it lasts.

“Well, isn’t that true for most things?” Gonsalves said.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What to know about Palm Springs rain totals, forecast, road closures