The National Weather Service in Sacramento warns of continued weather across Northern California, expecting rain, mountain snow, and gusty winds through the weekend, while a calmer front seems on the horizon for next week. In the wee hours, gusts of 35 to 45 mph were recorded, prompting a Wind Advisory in the valley that remained in place until 10 AM today, as reported by the National Weather Service. The Sierra mountains, seeing snow levels between 6500-7500 feet, could witness up to 5 inches of wet snow above 6000 feet this morning. The winter Weather Advisory is in effect until noon.
The weather will remain unsettled today, with light showers continuing in Shasta County and the Sierra foothills/mountains. Snow levels will rise above 7,500 feet by late morning, creating slippery conditions in the Sierra. In the afternoon, there will be a brief break in the rain before another wave of precipitation moves in tonight and lasts through Saturday. The National Weather Service expects most of the rain to affect Shasta County and nearby highlands, with snow levels staying above 8,000 feet and a chance of isolated showers in the Valley.
Looking ahead to Sunday, a new surge of moisture is anticipated to infiltrate the region, coming with its own set of rain and increased winds; snow levels will start around 7000 feet, lowering to 5000-6000 feet by the afternoon. The National Weather Service suggests a "30 to 50% chance of snow accumulations exceeding 4.00 inches above 6000 feet." At the same time, gusty southerly winds will start to ramp up Saturday night, particularly in the northeastern Sierra foothills and northern Sacramento Valley, with gusts of 25 to 35 mph expected to spread further south by Sunday morning.
For the weekend, rain totals across Shasta County, the foothills, and the mountains have a "60 to 90% chance of exceeding 2.00" according to the National Weather Service predictions, and the Valley rainfall, especially north of Interstate 80, is given 60 to 90% odds of surpassing 1.00" over the three days while chances drop to 30 to 50% south of I-80. Come Monday, the weather system will have shifted east allowing for a breezy northerly flow through the Valley with moderate gusts anticipated but the overall weather trend points toward drier conditions as a ridge builds over the Pacific Northwest.
Looking ahead from Tuesday to Friday, an upper-level ridge will build over Northern California, bringing temperatures near or slightly above average. Nights could be chilly, with a chance of patchy fog or frost in the valley. There may be some precipitation in the northern parts later in the week, but it's uncertain due to the weather pattern.
