Sacramento braces for atmospheric river storm as more rain and snow hit Northern California

Gloomy, rainy days will persist through the first full week of March in the Sacramento area.

The National Weather Service alerts motorists of wet roads Monday morning, as showers return to the capital city.

Katrina Hand, a meteorologist with the weather service, said rain totals from Monday to Wednesday morning are expected between a quarter to half an inch. Heavier rain will follow, she said, as a warmer and wetter atmospheric river enters the region late Thursday to into the weekend.

It’s still a few days too early to tell, Hand said, but an inch and a half to 3 inches are expected Thursday to Sunday, with the heaviest rainfall on Friday.

There are some flooding concerns later in the week and into the weekend. Hand advises motorists to be aware of standing water and local ponding on roadways, slick roads and increased travel times. There may also be increased creek and river levels, she said, below 4,000 feet.

Forecasts also show rain and snow showers will dust the Sacramento region Wednesday morning with potential thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday. Those in the mountains and foothills may also experience difficulty traveling due to snow in some areas.

The latest forecast

It’s going to be a chilly week in the Sacramento area with highs in the 50s and lows near the 30s.

For the week, you can expect:

• Monday: Showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. and at night, with a high near 52 degrees and low around 39 degrees.
• Tuesday: Possible showers after 5 p.m. and between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Highs are near 54 and lows around 38.
• Wednesday: Chance of showers after 11 a.m. with a high near 53 and low near 33.
• Thursday: Showers are possible after 5 p.m. and between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. High is near 57 and low near 45.
• Friday: Rain is expected throughout the day before 11 p.m. High is near 58 and low is around 50.
• Saturday and Sunday: The chance of showers continue into the weekend with highs in the low 60s.

In the coastal range and northern mountains, forecasts show 12 to 18 inches above 2,000 feet and one to three inches down to 100 feet in elevation through Wednesday. In the Sierra, 1 to 3 feet is expected above 3,000 feet and one to two inches down to 1,500 feet.

A warmer weather system may bring both rain and snow to higher elevations Friday through Sunday.

The weather service is discouraging travel as there will be reduced visibility and advising people to be alert of chain controls.

This story was originally published March 6, 2023 at 10:00 AM.