SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rain and snow fell overnight across Northern California, with a few inches of snow at the high passes. While snow showers will linger for the rest of the afternoon, the rain has come to an end across the valley.
We'll now be entering a drier period of weather across Northern California for the weekend and into Election Day. However, winds will be a concern.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
The biggest impacts from this system have already happened. The valley is now mostly dry, and while snow showers linger in the Sierra, those will be coming to an end Saturday afternoon.
It is however much colder across the region in the wake of the storm that came through Friday night. Highs Saturday afternoon are in the low to middle 60s, almost ten degrees cooler than average! It won't last though, as it's the coldest day for the foreseeable future.
SUNDAY MORNING
Clearing skies across Northern California will allow temperatures to drop much lower than in recent nights. The valley will be starting in the middle 40s, while the Sierra likely sees morning temps in the teens and 20s!
Northerly winds begin to develop in the Sacramento Valley just after sunrise, overspreading the valley and picking up strength as the morning wears on.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
By Sunday afternoon, strong north winds are expected across the valley. Wind gusts above 30 mph are possible, especially along and west of I-5 and in the Delta.
Highs will be very seasonal, in the upper 60s and low 70s in the valley.
Strong winds will continue into Sunday evening, gusting over 25 mph.
Fire danger will be somewhat lower on Sunday - despite the winds - thanks to the recent rain and snow.
MONDAY
Monday morning will continue to be gusty with northerly winds over 20 mph, but the winds will be winding down.
After the winds die down by the early afternoon, the weather will be quieter and dry. Sunny to mostly sunny skies are expected. Highs on Monday will again be in the upper 60s and low 70s.
TUESDAY - ELECTION DAY
Election Day will start off chilly in the 40s, but a nice day is expected. A sunny and seasonal Tuesday afternoon is forecast.
However, it doesn't stay that way. Northerly winds again begin to pick up during the late evening hours, around the time polls close. This time, wind gusts will be very strong, especially in the Sacramento Valley and Delta. Northerly gusts could be more than 40 mph overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.
This is something we will have to watch closely. A Weather Impact Alert Day will likely be needed if weather models continue to show a strong wind event midweek.
