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I-80 closed, evacuation warnings issued in Butte County, and flooding expected as rain continues in Northern California

The culprit is an atmospheric river of moisture coming from north of Hawaii.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — UPDATE 6:00 p.m.:

Rain will end by midnight in the valley. High water issues will continue though with some areas recording almost five inches of rain in three days. Water will begin to recede by late Thursday.

Snow will still be falling in the Sierra through much of Thursday. Dry weather is expected there by midnight through Friday afternoon. This will be a good window for travel.

Get ready for potentially more flooding this weekend as another storm brings heavy rain and snow starting late Friday.

ORIGINAL:

This round of rain starts to ease up today, but the damage is already done. 

I-80 is still closed in both directions and there is currently no estimated time of re-opening. US-50 is snow covered and windy, but open, so use caution.

Some coastal range flooding including the Russian River may crest tonight at the highest level in more than 20 years. According to the National Weather Service, river flooding is expected throughout the Sacramento region through the end of the week, and possibly into next week. 

RELATED: 

The culprit is an atmospheric river of moisture coming from the north of Hawaii. The phenomenon has become frequent enough that scientists in California are introducing a 1-through-5 scale of intensity for atmospheric rivers, similar to those used to gauge hurricanes.

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