US | National Weather Service Rains Hit California, but Drought Fears Remain Weekend brings annual rainfall level closer to normal By Nick McMaster Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:21 PM CST Copied Cattle are shown on Joe Gonzales' ranch in Gilroy, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) California saw steady rain this weekend, but it’s still too early to know if the state’s water woes are over, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The recent rains brought the state’s total rainfall up to 90% of normal levels for the year; 2 weeks ago only 60% of normal levels had fallen. But officials caution that years of below-normal rainfall mean the state could face drought even after a solid year. "It's like having your checkbook overdrawn," said a National Weather Service forecaster. "This year you may add a normal (or above normal) amount of funds, but you might still be short." Read These Next Updated list of free days at national parks is raising some eyebrows. An incredible hush-hush effort saw 55 cartel bosses brought to the US. South Africa's weekend arrived with a grim start. Sydney Sweeney wants to put that jeans controversy to rest. Report an error