The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a forecast predicting a surge of active weather, including showers, mountain snow, and possibly isolated thunderstorms, along with gusty southerly winds today. Areas affected by the advisory can expect a Wind Advisory to remain in effect until 2 p.m. PST, with winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph and gusts reaching 45 to 50 mph. The strongest winds are expected to impact the northern and central Sacramento Valley, the adjacent foothills, and the Sierra Crest.
Travelers in the mountains should proceed with caution: a Winter Weather Advisory is in place from 5 a.m. through 8 p.m. today for snow-covered roads and possible travel delays, notably above 6000 feet where snowfall could reach at least 6 inches. Dry weather is anticipated to return starting tomorrow and persist throughout the week, potentially leading to cold mornings with Valley frost and fog. According to the NWS Sacramento forecast, motorists are advised to check quickmap.dot.ca.gov before hitting mountainous roads today.
Following the turbulent weather, conditions are expected to settle shortly before the New Year's Eve celebrations. Temperatures throughout the week are likely to dip into the mid-30s across much of the Valley, warning residents to prepare for chiller starts to their mornings. The extended forecast suggests that upper-level ridging will maintain a brief period of calm with the potential for patchy fog in the Central Valley during the mornings of Thursday and Friday.
While the majority of the week will experience a respite from the storm, ensemble guidance indicated by the National Weather Service suggests that unsettled weather may resume by the weekend. The National Blend of Models hints at a 40-70% chance of at least a tenth of an inch of precipitation later in the week across parts of the region, especially in Shasta County. The public is reminded to stay tuned to local forecasts as the week progresses for updates on possible changes in weather conditions.
