Mid-May winter storm set to drop snow in mountains as Sacramento gets weekend showers
Showers and gusty winds might return to Sacramento this weekend, and snow will follow in the mountains early next week as a mid-May winter storm system passes through Northern California.
The capital will see afternoon highs in the low 80s and sunny skies Friday and Saturday giving way to likely showers starting late Saturday or early Sunday, lasting through Tuesday, according to the latest National Weather Service forecasts. Max temperatures will dip to the low 70s.
Significant wind is also in store for Sacramento all weekend. Saturday could see 20 mph gusts, increasing as high as 31 mph by Sunday, the NWS says.
The storm will also bring snow to the Sierra Nevada range, at high elevations starting Sunday and at lower elevations beginning Monday morning.
Snow is expected to fall at between 6,000 and 7,000 feet Monday, dropping to between 5,500 and 6,500 feet by Tuesday as snow showers continue, the NWS said in a winter storm watch alert.
Only a few inches of accumulation are expected at pass levels on Highway 50 and Interstate 80, but chain controls are possible.
Valley thunderstorms will also be possible Sunday and Monday, the NWS says.
Sacramento has been riding the weather roller coaster over the past week. The city reached the mid-90s three days in a row, last Thursday through Saturday, peaking at 97 degrees last Friday for a new all-time record.
Then, cloudy skies and light showers — less than a tenth of an inch spread out over four days — accompanied temperatures in the low 70s Monday through Thursday.
