CALIFORNIA, USA —
See Monday's storm coverage HERE. Sunday's storm news is below.
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The Western U.S. is bracing for the brunt of a major winter storm expected to hit Monday, bringing travel headaches, the threat of localized flooding and some relief in an abnormally warm fall.
Lighter rain and snow fell in Northern California on Sunday, giving residents a taste of what's to come. Feet of snow are expected on the highest peaks while rain will drench other parts of California.
The storm will push south and east before moving out midweek. Another storm will quickly follow on its heels.
Forecasters warned people in the Sierra Nevada to prepare for days of snowfall.
RELATED: Sacramento Weather Forecast
Monday Storm Watch
Rain, wind and snow are expected to intensify through the morning as a Winter Storm Warning continues through 10 p.m. on Tuesdays for areas above 3,500 feet.
Two to three inches of rain is expected in the Central Valley along with four to five inches of rain in the foothills.
A Wind Advisory in the valley joins the storm warning Monday from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Chief Meteorologist Monica Woods says the winds are expected to ramp up through the morning and through early afternoon. The area could see 20 mph to 30 mph winds and gusts up to 45 mph. The winds are expected to calm down in the evening, but the rain won't be stopping.
“It basically doesn’t let up. It continues, not heavy the whole time, but we will certainly see timeframes where that snow becomes quite heavy and Sierra passes almost impassable,” Woods said.
Sunday saw light to moderate rain and snow, but it's only a taste of what's to come on Monday.
For a full breakdown on the winter storm, click HERE or view the YouTube video below.
WATCH MORE: Storm Watch: Rain, snow and winds could bring flooding, outages, and impassable Sierra roads
