Valley residents find silver linings in first winter storm of the season

As the first rainfall hit the west valley in more than two and a half months Tuesday, some found silver linings in the storm clouds.

"It's good here, because it dampens down the desert," said Katherine Sheldon, visiting from the U.K.

"We need it so bad," said Joan Flak, who lives in Palm Springs.

For Jake Bradford, the rain means he doesn't have to water his yard. "It’s great – I just seeded my lawn, so its free water," Bradford said. But he's excited it also means the slopes will soon be covered in snow.

"I'm checking the weather up in Big Bear already for snowboarding season, so that’s exciting," he said.

While the roads here in the desert are slippery when wet, some are taking precautions like designating a driver.

"When you’re not familiar, the roads get very slick when you haven’t had rain – oil and everything; be careful," Flak said, turning to her husband. "I let him do the night driving; I do the daytime driving."

Experts say that it's important to check on your windshield wipers before driving in any wet weather, especially when they haven't been used for a period of time.

"They’ll be sitting there for so long, they dry up," said Wayne Block, manager of Quick Lane auto-repair. "You turn them on, the rubber stays on the windshield where it was stuck."

Some drivers are gearing up for more wet weather.

"We’re really on top of our cars," said Mileia Pete. "If we’re not, I panic easily and I overthink a lot, so I make sure I’m prepared for that, for the weather."

But some aren't quite sure what all the fuss is about.

"We’re from England, so we’re kind of used to it," said Simon Ryder, who now lives in Rancho Mirage. "People seem to forget how to drive in the rain."

You can reach Jake on Twitter, Facebook or email him at jake.ingrassia@kesq.com.