Atmospheric river storm sweeps Sacramento amid flood warning. How long will rain last?
An atmospheric river-fueled storm brought some long-awaited rain to the Sacramento area on Friday after a dry start to 2025.
Up to 3 inches of rain were expected to fall in Sacramento on Friday through Sunday, the National Weather Service said.
The storm was coming from the south, said meteorologist Sara Purdue.
The weather service issued a flood watch Friday for much of northern California, due to the “potential for flooding caused by excessive rainfall.”
Here’s what to know:
When will Sacramento see heavy rain?
“Light to moderate rain” was expected in the Sacramento Valley on Friday, according to an infographic the weather service shared on its website.
Saturday and Sunday are expected to have “periods of moderate to heavy rain.,” the weather service said.
A colder weather system is expected to move into the area by Tuesday, the weather service said, bringing more moderate to heavy rainfall.
When and where is flood watch in effect?
The flood watch will be in effect from noon on Friday, Jan. 31, through 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, the weather service said.
The flood watch affects areas below 3,000 feet elevation in much of the Sacramento Valley, including the cities of Sacramento, Modesto and Stockton.
Purdue said low-lying urban areas and roads could see “decent flooding,” while creeks, rivers and streams could have “sharp rises” in water level.
Foothill areas may experience mud and rock slides.
How much rain could fall in Sacramento area?
Rain was expected to start falling in Sacramento before 5 p.m. Friday, according to the weather service’s latest seven-day forecast.
The forecast called for a 10th to a quarter of an inch of rain during the day.
Between half and three-quarters of an inch of rain was expected overnight Friday, when wind gusts could reach 20 mph.
On Saturday, Sacramento could see a half of an inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain, with an additional quarter to half inch possible overnight.
Winds could gust as high as 21 mph on Saturday.
There is a 90% chance of rain on Sunday, with winds gusting up to 20 mph, while Sunday night has an 80% chance of rain.
The weather service forecast “chances” of showers through Thursday.
How much snow will Sierra Nevada get?
Snow levels in the Sierra Nevada could drop to elevations as low as 5,500 feet during the storm, according to the National Weather Service.
The greater Lake Tahoe area could receive up to two feet of snow at elevations above 7,000 feet through Monday.
Wind gusts are forecast to reach up to 90 mph, the weather service said.
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM.
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