The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a forecast for a weather change starting Wednesday evening. Dry conditions will give way to rain, mountain snow, and breezy winds, with these conditions lasting into early next week. Light south to west winds are causing patchy fog in the northern San Joaquin Valley, and dense fog may reduce visibility, especially in the Modesto area, during the early morning hours, according to the National Weather Service.
Expect cooler mornings with temperatures in the low to mid-30s, which could lead to patchy frost on grassy areas. An upper-level ridge will break down by Wednesday, allowing a fast-moving trough to move into Northern California, followed by a stronger system on Thursday. "Rainfall totals have stayed relatively the same from yesterday's forecast, with 0.25 to 1.00" inches across the mountains, and a trace to 0.50 "inches over the Valley from Wednesday AM through Thursday afternoon." Snowfall is expected in the Sierra and southern Cascades, with 2 to 6 inches, while coastal ranges may see a dusting to 4 inches, as stated by the National Weather Service.
Starting Friday, rain will move into the northern Sacramento Valley and spread south by evening. The Valley could get 0.10 to 1.50 inches of rain through Friday night. Higher elevations above 5,000 feet could see 2 to 6 inches of snow. Over the weekend, more rain and snow are expected as a Pacific storm moves through. "Snow levels range from 4500-5500 feet with local snow amounts over a foot of snow possible at the higher elevations," the National Weather Service warns. The rain will ease up by Sunday, but another system will bring lighter rain by Monday into Tuesday.
