LOS ANGELES (AP) — Much-needed rain fell intermittently across Southern California on Tuesday but in lighter amounts than originally forecast for the region.

Mountain areas received up to abour 2 inches of rain by midday but generally the precipitation was showery rather than steady, and the National Weather Service adjusted expected totals downward.

“Not quite the start we were expecting yesterday,” the Los Angeles-area weather office tweeted.

The rain was being caused by a low-pressure system that was drawing a plume of subtropical moisture northward, meteorologists said. Satellite imagery showed the atmospheric river was carrying most of the moisture into Baja California.

Showers were expected to increase late in the day and then linger for several days. A more significant storm appeared likely by early next week.

Despite lowered expectations, forecasters cautioned that potentially strong thunderstorms and hail were a possibility through the day from Los Angeles County and up the Central Coast to San Luis Obispo. A “special weather statement” expiring 6 p.m. Tuesday warned of possible flooding, minor mud and debris flows in recent burn areas and localized wind damage, mainly in Santa Barbara County and mountain areas.

Other National Weather Service warnings that remained in effect Tuesday afternoon:

• Flash flood watch until 5 a.m. Wednesday for Death Valley National Park, the Eastern Sierra slopes in Inyo County, Owens Valley, Western Mojave Desert, White Mountains of Inyo County, Fort Tejon, Indian Wells Valley, Kern County desert, Lake Isabella, Tehachapi.

• Winter weather advisory unti 5 p.m. Wednesday for Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park and the Tulare County portion of the southern Sierra Navada. Snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches expected above 7,000 feet in elevation on Tuesday night. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph on exposed ridgetops and near the crest.