Winter storm brings rain to Sacramento and heavy Sierra snow to Northern California
Moderate rain and strong winds in the valley will accompany heavy snow falling down to low elevations of the Sierra Nevada, as a storm is impacting Northern California.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, in place through 6 a.m. Friday for a large stretch of the central and southern Sierra range and the surrounding foothills.
About 1 to 2 feet of snow is expected as low as 2,000 to 3,000 feet, with local peaks getting up to 3 feet by the end of the week, according to the NWS. Forecasters warn of major delays, likely chain controls and road closures in the mountains amid near-whiteout conditions, and are highly discouraging mountain travel through Thursday night.
Conditions should be less dramatic in the valley, including in Sacramento, but rain is expected throughout the day Thursday, according to NWS forecasts.
The capital city could get close to an inch of rain. Winds could gust up to 24 mph. Thunderstorms are also possible.
Rain should leave Sacramento by about Friday morning, with no precipitation currently in the forecast for Saturday or Sunday. High temperatures each day will stay in the low 50s, and overnight lows will remain brisk, near about 40 degrees.
The storm will bring heavier rain to the north Sacramento Valley, including Chico and Redding, which could get about double Sacramento’s precipitation totals, and along the coast, spanning north beyond Eureka.
The NWS warns that the rain could cause commute delays and “ponding of water” on the roads, and that thunderstorms would cause heavier downpours locally.
Latest visible satellite loop for West Coast
This story was originally published January 15, 2020 at 7:20 AM.
