A moderate rain and snow storm is approaching Northern California.
The center of the storm was situated offshore this morning. However, clouds and showers were already moving into the Pacific Northwest and far northern California ahead of the mid-week weather event.
National Weather Service forecasters are predicting that the Sacramento region will start seeing rain tonight. By the time the rainfall ends on Thursday, Sacramento Valley locations could see from a half- to-an-inch of rain.
Some spots could get more if hit by thunderstorms, forecasters advise.
The western slopes of the Sierra Nevada are predicted to receive some light snow later this afternoon or evening. The heaviest snowfall should occur between midnight and late Wednesday morning, according to forecasters.
Around 8-to-15 inches of snow is possible at the 4,000-feet elevation level, while up to 24 inches could fall above 5,000-feet.
The detailed, 7-day forecast from the NWS for Sacramento:
Today: A 30 percent chance of rain after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. South southwest wind 6 to 13 mph.
Tonight: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4am. Low around 47. South wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce small hail. High near 58. South wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. South southeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the morning.
Thursday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then a chance of showers after 10pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079. Follow him on Twitter @Lindelofnews.
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