SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Get ready! Saturday morning will bring the heaviest rain the greater Sacramento region has had so far.
Friday evening will be a continuation of the off and on showers in the Valley with heavier rain in the Sierra. Snow levels Friday night are very high in the 8500-9500 foot range, meaning this is a predominantly rain event, unlike the previous winter storms this season.
Because of the widespread rain, flooding is much more of a concern. The instantaneous runoff created by the rain in the higher elevations will work its way down and into the Valley through the weekend, meaning rivers will be running high and faster than usual.
A Flood Watch is in effect from now through late Saturday for all of Northern California. Flooding of creeks, streams and rivers are all possible, as well as some street and parking lot flooding and flooding of low-lying and flood-prone areas.
As Friday turns into Saturday, rain will increase in coverage and intensity across Northern California. By sunrise Saturday, the heaviest rain of the week will be falling across the area. Another two to three inches of rainfall is possible in the Valley by the new year. Four or more inches of rain is possible in the Foothills and higher elevations.
Snow levels will still remain quite high through the morning, around 8000 feet. By midday, snow levels will drop to 7000 feet, bringing heavy snow to the highest passes along Interstate 80 and Highway 50.
Rain and snow taper off as Saturday afternoon wears on. Most of the valley rain should end by the evening hours, while snow showers could linger as late as midnight. Snow levels will finally drop to around 5000 feet by Saturday afternoon, but the snow will already have begun to lighten up by then.
There's likely mostly clear skies in the Valley by the time we ring in the New Year.
Water will take time to make its way from the Sierra to the Valley, with most rivers cresting Saturday evening to Sunday morning. The Cosumnes River is of particular interest as it's expected to reach flood stage at Michigan Bar near Rancho Murieta and well into the monitor stage at McConnell in Elk Grove. A Flood Warning for the Michigan Bar area goes into effect Saturday afternoon.
Be careful when near water for the next several days. Even if there isn't active flooding, rivers, creeks and streams will be running high and fast.
