No more tornadoes or lightning, but Sacramento is in store for coldest day since May
This weekend had everything: A freak tornado north of Davis. Severe thunderstorms across Northern California. Record low temperatures at Sacramento Executive Airport and downtown.
Nothing quite so unusual is anticipated in this week’s forecast, but the National Weather Service does predict Monday will be Sacramento’s coldest day in more than four months. An expected high of 68 degrees in the afternoon would be the lowest since May 26, when the max temperature reached only 61.
Temperatures will warm throughout the week, to a high of about 79 degrees Wednesday and the low 80s by Friday and into the weekend, according to the latest NWS forecasts. No precipitation is currently expected for Sacramento.
Was there really a tornado near Davis?
Yes.
The NWS Sacramento office said in tweets that a confirmed tornado occurred about 6:40 p.m. Saturday just north of Davis, east of County Road 101A in Yolo County. The tornado came on the “back side” of a severe thunderstorm system that rolled in a southeastward path through Sutter, Yolo, Solano and Sacramento counties, NWS says.
The weather service says the tornado was preceded by “gustnadoes” closer to Interstate 80 and UC Davis, observed around 6:30 p.m.
No damage or injuries were reported in relation to the exceptionally rare tornado in Northern California, but it gave locals and storm chasers a good scare.
Lightning flashes could be seen and thunderclaps could be heard throughout Sacramento County as the storm continued through about 7:30 p.m.
Did it snow? Will it keep snowing?
Yes and yes.
Nearly 2 inches of snow fell between Saturday and Sunday afternoon at both South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City, with snow showers expected to drop less than a half-inch early Monday. High temperatures will be in the low 40s, and overnight lows are expected to dip into the high 20s.
Snow accumulation is relatively light, but delays are anticipated. Caltrans had chain controls in place on Interstate 80 from Blue Canyon through Donner Lake early Monday. Chain controls were dropped just before 9 a.m.
The NWS Reno office has winter weather advisories in effect through 10 a.m. Monday for the greater Lake Tahoe area, the northern Sierra Nevada and portions of the foothills. The advisories warn of up to 3 inches of snowfall above 7,000 feet, and warn drivers of slippery conditions at the Echo and Donner passes.
This story was originally published September 30, 2019 at 7:32 AM.
