SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Every weather forecast has its challenges but when the stakes are high, careful attention and updates are important so we can help you plan your day. Halloween is a time when rain or snow can quickly alter or cancel some plans, and we do have active weather, so we will take you through the forecast step by step.
First of all, the forecast is going to be colder than normal so make sure the costumes have a way to stay warm. Maybe it's a jacket or better insulating layers underneath but we are looking at temps Halloween morning in the upper 40s and During 6-9 p.m. dropping from the 60s to the 50s.
The temperature forecast is the easiest to nail down, it will be colder than a normal Halloween in the morning, afternoon and evening.
The reality is that we will get rain and snow on Halloween, but timing is everything. At this point, most of the steady, organized rain and snow falls overnight between Wednesday and Thursday. The rain and snow will be decent with 0.10-0.25 inches for the Sacramento Valley overnight with some potential for more. Everything will get wet if you leave it out so put things away Wednesday night that you don't want to get wet. Some decorations, pillows, and other items should be undercover before you go to bed Wednesday night.
Snow will also fall during that time period with 2-5" of potential at the passes. Also, snow levels will drop from Wednesday to early Halloween (Thursday) from 6,000 ft. to about 5,500 ft. at times bringing snow to areas of Truckee and Lake Tahoe.
The good news is that for most of Halloween, it should be fine, temps in the 60s, and for the Sierra, things at least slowing down to flurries at times and rain stopping. However, by sunset - the most crucial time for trick or treating - rain and snow will be coming back to the Sierra. Look for cold weather, some wind, rain below the elevation of 5,500 feet. and snow starting around 6,000 and up...this drops deeper into the evening. We should get a few more inches of snow.
The valley forecast remains the most tricky because the day starts with wet ground. The day is nice; the clouds will come back late in the day and, with that much instability, you just can't rule out a random shower or two before the day is done - or even after sunset.
At this point, we are mostly dry but have a backup just in case the forecast changes and more moisture lingers into the day. It will be chilly with clouds and an outside chance for random light showers in the early evening.
Keep watching for changes in the forecast.
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