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Storm dampens Giants parade, Halloween
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A much-needed, if poorly timed, storm rolled into California, dampening the Giants’ World Series championship parade in San Francisco and promising to force candy-seeking ghosts and witches throughout Northern California to cover up with rain jackets in the evening.

“There will be lingering showers during prime trick-or-treating, and a possibility of thunderstorms,” National Weather Service forecaster Matt Mehly said Friday.

The weather service has issued a winter storm warning for much of the Sierra Nevada starting at 5 p.m. Friday, with snow expected at higher elevations overnight, he said.

Rain was already falling in San Francisco early Friday as city officials closed off streets in preparation for a noon parade to celebrate the Giants’ third World Series win in five years.

Matt Parker and Drew Kennett took a ferry from Marin County to San Francisco to attend the parade.

“Rain? What rain?” Parker joked.

“This isn’t rain,” Kennett said of the drizzly conditions. “This is San Francisco.”

Area resident Mike Mezz, in shorts and a Giant’s shirt, had his umbrella ready under the gray skies.

“I’m a San Franciscan, that’s how we do it,” he said. “I don’t mind the rain. If it was snowing I’d still be out here. That’s how much I love the Giants.”

The parade was slated to conclude at Civic Center Plaza where, on the steps of City Hall, Mayor Ed Lee planned to honor the World Series champions in a civic celebration, rain or shine.

Mehly, of the weather service, said that while the first big storm this fall is welcome and necessary, it won’t be nearly enough to affect statewide water shortages stemming from years with little rainfall.

“It’s going to take several years to put a dent in the drought,” he said.

Ranger Cari Cobb, spokeswoman for Yosemite National Park, said in an emailed statement that Tioga and Glacier Point roads would preemptively close at 6:00 p.m. Friday.

She said they are anticipating snow at 6,000 feet, with 6 to 15 inches accumulating above 8,000 feet by late Saturday morning.

Road crews will reassess the roads after the storm to decide if and when they can reopen. They typically close in November and open in May or June.