SACRAMENTO, Calif — Foggy conditions will be replaced by rain and snow. A change in the weather pattern is expected starting Christmas Day as two weather systems bring valley rain and heavy Sierra snow.
Light rain and snow showers are expected early in the day with heavier precipitation by the afternoon. Roads will be slick heading into Christmas night. Dangerous travel is expected for all mountain roads in Northern California.
A Winter Storm Watch is posted for Friday morning through Saturday morning.
Be prepared for difficult travel through the mountain and some chain controls. Roads might close depending on conditions, so expect a slow drive and significant delays in travel time.
This system will bring about 0.25 to 0.50 inches of rain for the valley and about 0.50 to 1.00 inches of rain for the foothills.
Western Plumas County and Sierra Nevada snow levels will start near 4,000-5,000 feet then rise to 5,000 to 6,000 feet by Saturday morning. There'll be 8 tp 12 inches of snow at pass levels, but Lassen National Park could see 2 to 3 feet of new snow.
In Shasta County and the southern Cascades as well as the Coastal Range, snow levels will be around 2,500 to 3,500 feet Friday morning then rise to around 4,000 feet in the afternoon with 2 to 12 inches of snow.
Another weather system approaches on Sunday, which keeps showers in the forecast through Monday. Widespread valley rain and mountain snow return. Snow level will be between 4,500 to 5,500 feet.
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