CALIFORNIA, USA — The rainy season for California has been off to a slow start with most storms affecting the Pacific Northwest and only a few making it into the Golden State.
The weather between short storms has been cold at higher elevations and is ideal for snowmaking. Since natural snow has been hard to come by, most ski resorts have relied on snowmaking to get terrain open and spin lifts for guests.
A few early-season storms have provided at least some snow for the Sierra but all regions report well less than 50% of the average snowpack for this time of year and a warmer storm cycle just ahead of Christmas may complicate the situation.
A very wet series of storms is drenching Northern California with rain and thunderstorms Monday to Wednesday. The steep angle of the moisture getting pulled in is also bringing warmer air as well. The snow level is the elevation where rain switches over to snow and is crucial in determining snowpack and extent. This year the warmer temperatures have kept the snow level higher than normal and areas between 5,000-7,000 feet often have much more snow this time of year.
The warmer snow will keep the snow level between 7,000-8,000 feet with higher snow levels for the first two days on Monday and Tuesday.
Areas above 8,000 feet should see a solid amount of snow out of this system since it should remain cold enough for the duration of the cycle but areas below will not only see rain but warmer temperatures and some melting.
Travel will be considered easier than heavy snow, but rain during long mountain drives can also create hazards.
Starting Thursday, the skies will clear for mostly dry weather through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The day after Christmas will see a new series of storms with colder air and lower snow levels eventually.
Watch more on ABC10 California Storm Watch | Thunder overnight in Sacramento with more rain on the way
