SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Northern California will be getting the rain and snow it needs to climb out of a serious drought, but the timing may wrinkle some holiday travel plans.
Wednesday morning the storm continues to produce light to moderate valley rain and snow above 6,000 feet. Up to half an inch of rain has already fallen in the valley with 1-3 inches of potential valley rain possible through Christmas.
The snow levels will drop later Wednesday and early Thursday as colder air moves in.
The intensity of rain and snow will also pick up early Thursday with some slowing very late Thursday.
Early Friday morning and afternoon appear to be the first break in the valley for rain with the snow continuing lightly in the mountains through the day.
Late Christmas Eve on Friday to Christmas Day on Saturday the storm picks up again with lowering snow levels to about 3,000 feet or lower.
We can expect 60-80 total inches of snow over the mountain passes this week and going into the holiday weekend.
The week before New Year's Day will be busy as well with more rain and snow on tap and much lower snow levels near 2,000 feet at times and possibly lower. Travel the week after Christmas needs attention especially through lower passes like the Grapevine and 58 through Tehachapi.
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