Another storm about to hit the Sacramento region: Expect more strong winds, power outages

Another major weather event is about to hit, just as the Sacramento region and Northern California clean up from a monster New Year’s Eve storm.

The next round of rain and wind is expected to arrive Wednesday morning and last into Thursday. The Sacramento region could see up to 3 inches of rain, with wind gusts peaking to as much as 40 miles per hour or more late Wednesday and early Thursday, Scott Rowe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said Monday.

The rain will blow sideways. Strong winds could snap branches or topple trees, once again cutting off power in some areas. And flooding – especially near already stressed rivers and streams – is possible.

“Another strong storm is on tap,” Rowe said.

The New Year’s Eve storm that led to widespread power outages and flooding featuring extreme wind gusts out of the north. Residents should prepare for winds out of the south this time around.

“Trees don’t take as much wind speed to fall when the ground is saturated,” Rowe said. “If there are trees just south of your house, you should be more concerned on a south-wind day. Like anything else, be prepared. Be extra mindful of where you are. Falling trees are definitely a serious thing.”

The Saturday night storm knocked out power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses in Sacramento. By Monday morning, more than 5,600 customers served by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District were still without power, with the largest concentrations of outages in the Land Park, North Sacramento, Oak Park and central city areas of Sacramento.

More than 470 customers in Wilton and Herald, where the Cosumnes River is flooding roadways and homes, are also without power.

The Sierra foothills and Mother Lode areas will see between 2 and 4 inches of rain in the next storm. Heavy rainfall in those areas fueled the floodwaters in south Sacramento County.

Snow levels will begin around 3,500 to 4,500 feet early Wednesday before climbing to around 7,000 feet later in the day. The levels are expected to then drop again to around 5,000 feet as the storm progresses, Rowe said.

The region will see a “very quick-hitting, gentle system” between now and Wednesday, with a few showers in the forecast Monday and just a slight chance of precipitation on Tuesday.

This story was originally published January 2, 2023 at 11:48 AM.