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Weather Impact Alert: Sierra snow and valley rain might impact plans

Unsettled weather will bring rain and snow during portions of the day on Halloween and beyond. Preparations should be made for cold and wet weather.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Active weather is coming to Northern California with periods of wet cold weather along with Sierra snow. This will be the first significant amount of snow for the Sierra, with several rounds of snow extending over two full days.

The Sierra will be impacted with the first significant snow of the season between late Wednesday night into early Thursday, with on-and-off snow showers the remainder of the day. Friday snow showers may still linger from the night into Saturday morning.

Snow will fall in two rounds. First early Thursday and again Friday to early Saturday with chances in between.  Each round will have 4-6" of potential at the pass level with periods of snow down to lake level for Lake Tahoe. This amount of snow should be enough for chain controls at times. There will also be snow removal operations in areas for roads, driveways and more, so the onset of winter will be very apparent for the higher elevations after this pattern emerges. 

Credit: KXTV

The valley rain is significant with 0.10-0.25" falling early Thursday with more possible Friday to Saturday.

The timing will limit some of the direct impacts of events and travel. However, you might need to make preparations for rain.

Items that you don't want to get wet should be covered Wednesday before rain moves in very early Thursday Morning.

The same plan should be followed Friday night for more overnight rain. 

When

Credit: KXTV

Rain will begin late Wednesday after sunset and continue overnight to early Thursday.  Some rain will still fall during the morning commute and roads will be wet. 

Credit: KXTV

The Sierra will have a rain snow mix during Trick or Treat time, while the Valley will mostly be clear with only an outside chance for a stray shower. 

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Impact

The main impacts again will be overnight so the planning ahead of precipitation is the most helpful.  Have a plan for cold weather below normal for highs and lows. 

Bundling up will be key during the next several days going through Halloween and into the weekend. Plans for rain and snow and the first significant stormy pattern should be made.

In an odd twist, the timing of stormy weather is mostly in the middle of the night, but awareness of changes is helpful over the next several days. 

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Need

People should keep monitoring the forecast for changes in timing and totals since this system in in flux.

The first significant rain of the year often brings challenges to driving with slick roads and clogged drains from debris and leaves.

Sierra travel may require chains at times. This is not a strong storm, but one that has lots of things we simply have not seen in many months. 

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GO DEEPER:  The ABC10 Weather Impact Team investigates algae and bacterial threats to some of California’s largest natural lakes.

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