As Sacramento residents enjoy a momentary break from the wetness, eyes are trained on the skies, for a fresh wave of precipitation is poised to sweep through, heralding a wintry mix that is set to complicate travel plans and dust the region in a frosty layer, just as the Thanksgiving holiday beckons. The National Weather Service in Sacramento (NWS Sacramento) forecasts a "brief lull in precipitation for most areas through this afternoon," but warns that periods of rain, and moderate to heavy mountain snowfall are returning tonight and will persist into early Wednesday morning. According to NWS Sacramento's Area Forecast Discussion, locals can anticipate up to 1.25 inches of rain in the Valley and 2.5 inches in the foothills by Wednesday morning.
Those planning travel through higher elevations are advised to prepare for challenging conditions winter storm warning remains in effect until 4 AM Wednesday for areas above 5500 feet including vital thoroughfares like Interstate 80 and Highway 50, with snow accumulations ranging between one to four feet predicted, emphasized by the NWS. This heavy blanket of snowfall will impose chain controls, and likely dispatch travel delays, making journeys above 5500 feet extremely arduous. But there's a shift on the horizon; a ridge of high pressure is expected to build in, ushering a stretch of mostly dry conditions from Thanksgiving Day onward, marked by locally breezy northerly winds and morning frost in some areas - a stark contrast to the stormy performance.
Thanksgiving itself should align with the tranquil theme forecasted, as the NWS notes mostly dry conditions accompanied by light, breezy north winds—though residents in the eastern half of the Valley might wake up to pockets of frost Thursday morning. As nighttime temperatures in the mountains are expected to skulk in the upper teens to mid 20s, residents are reminded to protect pets and livestock from the cold, and to dress warmly for any early morning commutes or activities.
Looking beyond the holiday, the forecast by the NWS hints at a small possibility of rain dropping in to say hello south of Interstate 80 late Thursday into Friday, with trivial amounts accumulating—if at all, so the insinuation of sprinkles should not dampen spirits. Indeed, by and large, the conditions will remain dry, with temperatures hovering slightly below normal through the weekend, a gentle nod from the upper-level ridge that's expected to guard the region, keeping the tumultuous weather at bay.
