According to the National Weather Service, residents in the Sacramento area should expect a strong storm that will bring rain, snow, and strong winds over the weekend. The NWS has issued a number of warnings and watches throughout Northern California, predicting that the storm, which is connected to a strong atmospheric river, will cause major disruptions.
For higher elevations, notably above 3500 feet in the Sierra and southern Cascades, including Interstate 80, and above 3000 feet in the Shasta County mountains, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 10 PM today, according to the NWS. Additionally, Valley and foothill areas north of Interstate 80 are under a Flood Watch that will last until early Saturday. With a Wind Advisory in effect until this evening for the Northern and Central Sacramento Valley and the surrounding foothills, the wind will also pose a challenge to both locals and visitors.
According to radar data, precipitation has already started, soaking the Coastal Range and extending into the Sacramento Valley’s northern regions. According to the NWS, accumulations have been erratic but are on the rise, and water ponding on roads and dangerous driving conditions may affect commuter traffic. Friday morning is predicted to see more precipitation, with Saturday seeing less heavy downpours.
With a 40% to 95% likelihood of exceeding 3 inches in some places, forecasters estimate that this storm’s initial wave might bring 7 to 13 inches of precipitation at high elevations. Travel throughout the Shasta County mountains and the Sierras may be impacted by the fluctuating snow levels throughout the week, which begin this morning at about 3500 to 4500 feet. At elevations above 4500 feet, 10 to 20 inches of snowfall is anticipated, with local summits perhaps receiving up to 2 to 4 feet.
Ensemble advice for the upcoming week indicates that the atmospheric conditions will not improve, with further snow and rain clouding the forecast. Through Tuesday, the Valley has a 30–60% probability of seeing at least 1 inch of precipitation, according to the National Blend of Models. Residents of the mountains may continue to receive snowfall, with the likelihood of 12 inches or more falling between 55% and 85%. Before leaving, travelers are advised to check road conditions via Caltrans and updates on the NWS website.
Due to the oncoming storm system, there will likely be spells of MVFR/IFR conditions with LIFR in the mountains for air travel; gusty southerly winds are predicted, which might further affect flight schedules. Flights at RDD and RBL may be impacted by the aviation impacts and possible low-level wind shear as the storm develops.
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