CALIFORNIA, USA — A busy travel period will be met with several weather elements as millions hit the roads and skies through the holidays.
Foggy conditions will continue to present dangerous driving conditions for California from the coast to the valley and even into the mountains. Visibility at times will go below a quarter of a mile through the Christmas holiday weekend.
The fog will be especially thick in the San Joaquin Valley along major roads and wide open spaces. Best driving practices include using low beams and keeping a bigger distance between vehicles.
A shift in the unseasonably cold, foggy weather pattern is coming toward the end of the weekend. The storm track will begin to move more toward Northern California bringing multiple storms to the forecast.
Confidence is still moderate to low on impacts including timing and totals.
Right now, forecast models have the first big weather system in the series arriving Monday. It looks like the wettest storm in the pipeline with heavy rain in the valley and snow in the Sierra. Travel impacts will likely include chains for the mountains and big delays getting over the passes.
Winds will also increase as this first system arrives, and rain and snow continue through the week.
A warmer storm arrives New Year's Eve. This could present a bigger issue with rising snow levels and possibly melting snow.
Reservoirs have plenty of capacity to hold any incoming water. Smaller streams, creeks and roadways may have a tougher time dealing with the amount of accumulation.
A few ways to prepare for the changing weather include keeping storm drains clear, carrying chains, checking tire pressure and tread, and considering a change of travel plans based on the forecast.
WATCH ALSO:
