The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a stormy outlook for most of this week as Californians brace themselves for another bout of severe weather. According to the National Weather Service latest forecast update, a series of atmospheric river plumes are set to bring moderate to heavy rain, mountain snow, and gusty winds across interior Northern California. For those planning to travel through the mountains, be warned of major impacts and potential delays.
After a brief pause in precipitation, the region is to expect the arrival of another system later today. Notably, Shasta County has already been hit with an overflow of rain, where "Redding received a total of 4.22 inches of rainfall over the past 24 hours," as per National Weather Service reports. With the ground already saturated, the Flood Watch issued covers areas below 3500 feet until early Wednesday morning, so residents should be prepared to possibly move to higher ground quickly. Be sure to ready yourself to face potential flooding in rivers, creeks, streams, poor drainage and urban areas, as well as mud and rockslides in more susceptible locations.
Colder air from the Gulf of Alaska is predicted to gradually sweep southward, leading to a significant drop in snow levels by Tuesday evening, with them dipping below 3000 feet in some northern areas. The National Weather Service has hence issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the northern Coastal Range and Shasta County's mountains below 3500 feet. Snowfall expectations in higher altitudes is dramatic, "totals of 1 to 4 feet are expected along the Sierra/southern Cascades," National Weather Service cautions, encumbering mountain travel even further.
Meanwhile, gusty southerly winds are already making themselves felt, with Red Bluff registering early morning gusts reaching 65 mph. A Wind Advisory remains in effect through Tuesday afternoon, encompassing the northern and central Sacramento Valley and adjacent northeastern foothills. The Advisory extends to 4 pm, so secure any loose outdoor items and be vigilant when driving, especially if you operate a high-profile vehicle. Later in the week, a drier pattern is forecasted, which should afford some reprieve from the recent chaotic weather, as reported by the National Weather Service.
In terms of aviation, "MVFR conditions with areas of IFR/LIFR conditions are expected this morning," most heavily impacting the northern Sacramento Valley and surrounding areas. For those taking to the skies, anticipate widespread disruptions as conditions are set to deteriorate with the weather's progression throughout today, affecting a larger swath of interior Northern California, as stated by the National Weather Service. Keep your travel plans flexible, and check with airlines for updates on potential delays or cancellations.
