Latest winter storm forecast: More rain for Sacramento, feet of Sierra snow
A strong winter storm starting Sunday evening in Northern California is expected to blanket the mountains with multiple feet of snow while soaking the foothills and Sacramento Valley with rain throughout the week, the latest forecasts show.
A winter storm watch issued by the National Weather Service is in place for essentially the entire Sierra Nevada range from 10 p.m. Sunday through 10 p.m. Wednesday.
At least a foot of snow is anticipated between elevations of 3,000 feet and 4,000 feet, with 4 feet to 8 feet of snow possible at higher elevations. Snow could also fall at lower elevations, down to about 2,000 feet, the weather service said.
Mountain travel was highly discouraged, according to the weather service, with snow reducing visibility, causing major delays and prompting chain controls likely on Interstate 80 and other mountain passes.
Latest doppler radar loop for Northern California
Parts of the Sacramento Valley including California’s capital region could get 2 to 3 inches of rain for the week, according to weather service forecasts updated Saturday. Parts of the foothills including Placerville could get up to about 6 inches.
Gusty winds and isolated thunderstorms are also expected in the valley as the storm continues through most of the week, according to the weather service.
A wind advisory is in place for most of the Sacramento Valley, including nearly all of Sacramento County, from 10 a.m. Monday through 10 p.m. Wednesday. Valley gusts could reach as high as 45 mph with sustained south winds up to 25 mph.
Southwest winds in the mountains could reach about 55 mph, forecasts show.
Storm timing
The storm’s peak impact is anticipated Monday through Wednesday in the mountains; Tuesday and Wednesday in the foothills; and Tuesday in the valley.
Monday and Tuesday will see the highest chance of thunderstorms, according to the weather service.
In Sacramento, the weather service reports a 100% chance of rain Sunday with up to about an inch possible. Up to 3 inches could fall in Sacramento between Sunday and Friday. Higher amounts are possible with thunderstorms.
The weather service, in a Saturday bulletin, said “active weather” could continue into next weekend.
Cold temperatures
Overnight temperatures in Sacramento are expected to drop into the high 30s Wednesday through Friday.
Morning temperatures could dip just below freezing in the Redding area.
The weather service’s Sacramento office in a Saturday bulletin called this week’s event the “coldest storm of the season.”
