SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Recent spring storms are filling the rain and snow gap created by months of dry Northern California weather this past winter.
Early Tuesday, a weak storm moved into the Valley, producing light rain and light Sierra snow above 6,500 feet. Various chain requirements had to be put into effect for vehicles on mountain routes, including Interstate 80, and strong winds created additional concerns for Sierra travelers. The UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab in Donner Pass reported more than 5 inches of new snow by midmorning.
Valley rain was mostly light and short lived, but more is on the way. Valley rain and Sierra snow is expected to taper off into the early afternoon Tuesday and clear by early evening.
Wednesday will be a mostly dry day until sunset. Winds kick in during the day, in the 15-20 mph range.
Late Wednesday and early Thursday, a new system moves in with solid Valley rain and Sierra snow. A fairly strong storm for April will likely produce up to half an inch for Valley locations and possibly a few inches of rain for the Foothills above 5,000 feet.
Sierra snow will start piling up with chain controls likely by early Thursday morning. The snow lingers all day Thursday and early Friday. Sierra passes could get 1 - 2 feet of snow and create long delays, drive times and momentary closures for clearing crashes or lower visibility.
Friday, the storm clears for a dry weekend with highs near 80 by Sunday.
Despite the spring snow, California remains locked in drought after historically dry winter months. The Sierra snowpack, a key part of the state's water supply, was just 38% of average on April 1, when it is normally at its peak. The late-season snow won't end California's water worries but it has had some effect. The snowpack had dwindled to just 22% of normal to date on April 11 and increased to 30% on Tuesday.
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