Ready for another storm? Heavy rain, snow, wind return to Northern California Friday
Dry weather should last just a little bit longer before the latest atmospheric river storm drops heavy rain and snow throughout Northern California starting late Thursday night or Friday morning.
National Weather Service forecasts show the brunt of the storm will reach the Sacramento Valley, the foothills and the Sierra Nevada mountains Friday night and last through Saturday night.
The Sierra could get up to 3 feet of snow at higher elevations. Parts of the valley, including Sacramento, could get about 2 1/2 inches of rain by the end of the weekend.
Valley winds are also expected to spike, possibly reaching nearly 40 mph Friday night in Sacramento, the latest NWS forecasts show.
Here’s a day-by-day look at what’s coming Friday through Monday, according to NWS forecasts as of midday Thursday.
Friday: Slow start, then lots of rain, snow and wind
Valley rain and heavy mountain snow should be severe enough to seriously impact mountain travel by about 4 p.m.
The storm will start over the coast, so heavy valley rainfall may not pick up until around 1 p.m., radar forecast images show.
Snow levels should fall to about 6,000 to 6,500 feet by the afternoon and evening. Chain controls and poor visibility are likely at the summit on Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 50.
For Sacramento, more than an inch could fall in the p.m. hours, according to the NWS. Wind gusts of close to 40 mph present a significant threat to tree branches, small trees and power lines, and could make driving difficult when combined with the wet roads. The high temperature is expected to hit 63 degrees, with a nighttime low of 53.
Saturday: More rain all day, gusts continue
The downpour in the valley will continue, likely without much of a break, and snow levels will drop to about 5,500 feet in the Sierra mountains. Snow accumulation will continue to make mountain travel hazardous, strongly discouraged by the NWS.
Scattered thunderstorms could also begin after 10 a.m. in interior Northern California, including Sacramento. Gusts are predicted to be lighter than Friday, but still could touch close to 30 mph in the afternoon or evening. The capital will get similar daytime and nighttime temperatures to Friday’s, with a high of 61 degrees and low of 51.
Sunday: Lighter showers, storm settles down
Valley rains will give way to valley showers, possibly wrapping up by mid-afternoon.
A NWS winter storm watch for the Sierra is set to expire by the end of Sunday morning. Snow levels will remain low in the morning, falling at about 5,500 feet.
Sacramento temperatures will see highs in the upper 50s, dropping quite a bit more overnight to a low of about 43 degrees.
Latest visible satellite loop for West Coast
Monday: Sunny sky, but a cold night
Forecasts currently expect the rain and clouds to clear out by Monday morning.
It’ll still be cool, though. Sacramento will stay in the upper 50s, with another frigid nighttime low of 41 degrees in the forecast.
Latest doppler radar loop for Northern California
