Rain, thunderstorms could dampen Saturday activities

A low-pressure system that moved into the Sacramento area Friday could dampen Saturday activities in the region.

The threat of rain and thunderstorms prompted the Downtown Sacramento Partnership to cancel a Friday evening concert in Cesar Chavez Plaza. By late afternoon, heavy snow and multiple traffic accidents closed Interstate 80 in both directions over the Sierra.

As of about 5:30 p.m., downtown Sacramento had received only 0.01 inches of rain and Sacramento International Airport had received only a trace, said Travis Wilson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. But a storm moving up the Interstate 80 corridor dropped 0.16 inches in Rio Linda, 0.20 inches near Lincoln and 0.20 inches in the Auburn area. Wilson said dime-size hail also was reported in the Sheridan area.

The National Weather Service warned that the same storm could result in snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour through the Sierra. As of late Friday afternoon, Wilson said, the snow level was at the 4,500-foot elevation. By early evening, the storm was expected to weaken and shift south toward Highway 50, he said.

The late-season storm could affect Saturday activities. Participants in the Hangtown Motocross, held along White Rock Road, could encounter a slightly muddy track and people attending the SactoMoFo 9 food truck festival may need their raincoats.

The forecast includes a 40 percent chance of showers Saturday and Saturday evening in the Sacramento area. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are expected, except in thunderstorms. A high near 67 degrees is forecast.

In the Truckee area, scattered rain and snow showers are expected Saturday and into the evening, with a high around 44 degrees and an overnight low around 26 degrees.

The unsettled weather is expected to clear on Sunday as the showers tilt northward.

The detailed, 7-day forecast from the NWS for the Sacramento region:

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 5 to 9 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. South-southwest wind around 6 mph.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Monday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 6:57 AM with the headline "Rain, thunderstorms could dampen Saturday activities."