The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a forecast indicating a burst of chilly weather and increased winds which are expected to persist throughout the weekend and into the coming week. According to the forecast, a significant weather system is slated to bring moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow accompanied by gusty southerly winds around the middle to latter part of the week.
Presently, the region experiences a mix of cold mornings and brisk winds as it finds itself in a brief lull between weather patterns. The NWS notes that early temperatures this morning have been "2-5 degrees warmer than expected," and this trend may continue. Yet, forecasts still predict frigid mornings, with "morning lows...in the 30s to low 40s each morning through Wednesday morning," according to NWS Sacramento Weather Forecast. North winds with gusts reaching 20-30 knots are expected to persist into Monday morning.
As the week progresses, the potential for light showers will emerge over the Sierra on Tuesday afternoon and evening – heralding the arrival of the more significant weather front on Wednesday. There's a "unique forecast challenge of lower elevations snow potential Wednesday morning," says the NWS. Although models have reduced confidence in the early snowfall, snow levels are predicted to drop to as low as 500-1500 feet near and east of I-5 on Wednesday before rising later in the day.
The end of the week is expected to experience more impactful weather, particularly in the mountainous regions where heavy snowfall is forecasted. The NWS statement details a "30-60% chance of 12 inches above 2500-3000 feet from Wednesday to Friday morning" in the mountain areas. Rainfall during this period is anticipated to be moderate to heavy at times with higher accumulations likely in the Northern Sacramento Valley and foothills. Gusty winds, potentially reaching up to 40-45 MPH in the Valley and 50-60 MPH over the Sierra crest, will accompany the late-week storm system.
For aviation, "Generally, VFR conditions across interior NorCal over the next 24 hours" are anticipated outside of possible reduced visibilities due to mist in the eastern portions of the northern San Joaquin Valley. Pilots are being cautioned of "gusty northerly winds gusting 25 to 30 kts through 12Z Monday in the northern and central Sacramento Valley," as indicated in the NWS advisory. The rest of the region may see localized gusts of 15 to 20 knots until 03Z Monday.
