Taste of winter returns to Sacramento region. These are the latest rain, snow totals

Winter weather returned to the Sierra and Sacramento overnight, adding fresh snow to California’s strained “frozen reservoir” and light rain to the Valley floor — modest totals for now, but part of a pattern that could intensify in the days ahead.

Rainfall totals across the capital region generally stayed under a third of an inch through 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to National Weather Service data.

Sacramento International Airport recorded 0.23 inches. Sacramento Executive Airport measured 0.16 inches, while downtown Sacramento logged 0.12 inches. Carmichael saw roughly a quarter-inch, while Elk Grove recorded lighter totals.

Higher elevations saw more meaningful gains in the way of snow. Across the Sierra, colder air lowered snow levels to roughly 5,500 to 6,000 feet overnight, allowing several inches of new accumulation above that elevation.

For Sacramento, the rain marked a break in a prolonged dry stretch. The last meaningful rainfall fell Jan. 5, and the capital region entered Wednesday with just 0.07 inches recorded so far in February — well below the normal 1.34 inches for the month, according to National Weather Service records.

The broader precipitation picture remains dry, however.

Since the water year began Oct. 1, Sacramento has recorded just 2.47 inches of precipitation, according to weather service data. By this point in an average year, the capital region would have received about 5 inches. That means Sacramento is running roughly 2.5 inches below normal, or about 49% of average rainfall for the season to date. The deficit has widened since early January, when storms largely bypassed the Valley due to the jet stream’s placement north of the state.

Isolated thunderstorms remained possible Wednesday, with the National Weather Service placing the chance at roughly 15% to 25% as the system moved through. Gusty southerly winds were expected to reach 20 to 30 mph in parts of the southern Sacramento Valley and northern San Joaquin Valley.

24-hour rain totals through 10 a.m.

• Sacramento (downtown): 0.12 inches
• Sacramento Executive Airport: 0.16 inches
• Sacramento International Airport: 0.23 inches
• Carmichael: 0.28 inches
• Rancho Cordova: 0.16 inches
• Elk Grove: 0.16 inches
• Mather: 0.20 inches
• Roseville: 0.08 inches
• Auburn: 0.12 inches

Fresh snow blankets the Sierra

The storm added several inches of fresh snow across the Tahoe region — a welcome boost to a snowpack that remains below seasonal averages.

New accumulation since Tuesday ranged from a couple of inches in the lower Tahoe Basin to nearly 9 inches at higher elevations in Alpine County.

Carson Pass and Forestdale Creek each gained 9 inches, bringing total snow depth to 45 inches. Ebbetts Pass rose 7 inches to 41 inches.

For skiers, that meant fresh powder. For water managers, the concern remained how much water the snow actually held.

As of Wednesday, the statewide snowpack measured 39% of the April 1 average — the benchmark for peak accumulation — and 55% of normal for this date, according to the California Department of Water Resources.

The Central Sierra averaged 10.4 inches of snow-water content, or 39% of the April 1 average.

Wednesday’s snow added incremental water storage, but forecasters said a colder system expected early next week could have a greater impact on seasonal totals.

Drier weather was expected Thursday and Friday, with Valley highs returning to the upper 50s and low 60s.

24-hour new snow totals through 10 a.m.

• Palisades Tahoe: +6 inches (42 inches total)
• Tahoe City, Placer County: +5 inches (11 inches total)
• Echo Peak, El Dorado County: +5 inches (38 inches total)
• Fallen Leaf, El Dorado County: +1 inch (7 inches total)
• Heavenly Valley: +5 inches (27 inches total)
• Rubicon, El Dorado County: +4 inches (26 inches total)
• Silver Creek, El Dorado County: +2 inches (5 inches total)
• Carson Pass, Alpine County: +9 inches (45 inches total)
• Ebbetts Pass, Alpine County: +7 inches (41 inches total)
• Forestdale Creek, Alpine County: +9 inches (45 inches total)
• Truckee, Nevada County: +2 inches (24 inches total)

Colder, wetter system targets holiday weekend

The break will be brief.

During a Wednesday morning briefing, the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office said a colder and wetter storm system is expected to arrive late this weekend and strengthen into early next week.

Minor impacts are possible Sunday, but forecasters said mountain travel conditions could deteriorate to “major” levels Monday and Tuesday, with likely chain controls and potential road closures.

Snow levels are projected to fall from 4,000 to 5,000 feet Sunday to as low as 3,000 to 4,500 feet early next week — low enough to bring accumulating snow into upper foothill communities.

In the Valley, periods of moderate rain and gusty southerly winds are possible Monday.

Forecasters cautioned that timing and snowfall amounts remain uncertain and urged residents to monitor updated forecasts heading into the Presidents Day holiday.

For now, Wednesday’s system delivered manageable impacts — a reminder that winter remains active, with potentially more disruptive travel conditions just days away.

This story was originally published February 11, 2026 at 11:31 AM.