SACRAMENTO, Calif —
More rain and snow is on the way to Northern California Saturday.
This storm will be similar to the Tuesday/Wednesday event that produced 6-18" of snow in the Sierra. Between 1-2 feet is currently forecast in the Sierra above 4,000 feet with accumulating snow forecast down to 2,000 feet.
This will be an impactful winter storm, primarily due to the heavy snow and gusty winds forecast for the Sierra. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the Sierra and is in effect from 4 a.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday.
One difference from the previous storm will be the amount of rain in the valley. Totals ranged from 0.25-1" but only 0.1-0.25" is expected Saturday.
Saturday
The storm is set to push through the region Saturday with impacts expected throughout most of the day. Heavy snow is expected and snow levels will be low (2,000-3,000 feet). The heaviest snow will fall between about 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., sometimes coming down at 1-2" an hour.
Gusts will be close to 45 mph and whiteout conditions are possible Saturday making driving impossible at times.
Travel along I-80 and US-50 will be extremely difficult – if not impossible – for parts of Saturday. Chain controls, partial/full closures and commercial truck limitations are all possible during the storm.
Snow will continue throughout the afternoon and taper off by the mid-evening.
It will be the chilliest day of the winter thus far for most of the region with high temperatures in the upper 40s to around 50 in the valley, and 20s and lower 30s in the Sierra.
Sunday
Although it will be dry apart from a few light snow showers during the early morning (areas as low as 1,500 feet could see a few flurries), chilly temperatures are expected Sunday as cold air filters in behind the cold front. Highs are only expected to be in the low 50s in the valley and some locations may struggle to make it out of the 40s.
Next week
Cold temperatures will stick around through next week with freezing morning temperatures expected, particularly Monday. More unsettled weather looks likely midweek, but uncertainty remains in how much moisture these systems will contain. Light valley rain and moderate mountain snow is the most likely outcome based on current guidance. The Climate Prediction Center favors cooler and wetter conditions the next two weeks across California.
