The National Weather Service in Sacramento started Christmas morning on a tranquil note but warned of a shift towards a more turbulent weather pattern. According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento forecast, valley rain, and breezy south winds are expected to arrive this evening, with the weather growing more active into the weekend, leading to moderate travel impacts over the mountains. The NWS anticipates a wave of precipitation spreading south and east from northwest Shasta County later in the day.
Morning fog presented a 40-60% chance of visibility issues below half a mile, particularly south of Interstate 80, a consideration for those traveling across Northern California. "If you don't have the luxury of a sleigh this holiday morning, be sure to slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination," the National Weather Service added, hinting at the potential necessity of caution during early travels. The ensuing weather system is projected to deliver up to 4 inches of rain in northern Shasta County, and an advisory for winter weather is set from 10 PM tonight through noon Friday for the western slope of the Northern Sierra Nevada and Western Plumas County/Lassen Park. Snow accumulations could range from 5 to 10 inches, with higher amounts on the peaks.
Travelers in the mountains are advised to prepare for snow levels starting around 3,500 to 5,000 feet this afternoon before settling between 5,000 to 6,500 feet across the Coastal Range and Sierra areas. A significant gust of winds, reaching up to 45 MPH along the Sierra crest, is also forecasted. "Winds will gusts as high as 45 MPH along the Sierra crest," the National Weather Service cautioned. Concerning the snow accumulations, chances for more than 6 inches stand at 40-70% above 6000 feet from Wednesday evening to Friday morning.
As the weekend approaches, precipitation continues, however, with rising snow levels, the impacts are expected to become rain-dominant and primarily confined to the higher terrain. An additional 1.50-3.00 inches of rain is anticipated over the mountains north of I-80 and the Northern Sacramento Valley, accompanied by less significant rainfall amounts for the valley floor, which decreases towards the south. The National Weather Service reminds us that "chances for gusts over 40 MPH for the the foothills are 50-75% Thursday and Friday, highest on Thursday and the biggest areal extent on Friday."
Looking ahead past the weekend, the extended discussion from the National Weather Service predicts a drier start to the following week, with near-normal high temperatures and potential for some light precipitation in northern areas by midweek. Despite the transitions, the upcoming shift to more stable weather provides something to look forward to after the holiday storm surge. For the most current weather updates and travel advisories, residents and travelers can refer to the National Weather Service Sacramento's website or check the California Department of Transportation's QuickMap for real-time travel conditions.
