Residents of Northern California are grappling with a robust winter storm that's bringing a mix of rain, heavy snow, and gusty winds today. The National Weather Service Sacramento issued a Winter Storm Warning for parts of the region, including the southern Cascades and northern Sierra Nevada above 4500 feet, cautioning against mountain travel due to anticipated heavy snowfall.
As of early Monday morning, rainfall had measured between 0.10 and 0.75 inches in the Valley, and between 0.50 and 3 inches in the foothills and mountains. Areas in these regions could see additional rain amounts ranging from 0.10 to 0.50 inches in the Valley, and from 0.25 to 1.50 inches in the foothills by tonight. Sacramento's urban dwellers and mountain visitors are advised to exercise caution while driving, especially during the morning and evening commutes, as the weather could lead to slick roads and travel delays, as reported by the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service also highlights a 20-40% probability of scattered thunderstorms across a wide swath of the forecast area. With relatively low chances of debris flows near the Park Fire burn scar, residents are nonetheless warned to remain vigilant, and to remember the advice that, "When thunder roars, go indoors!" The winter storm is expected to decrease in intensity by tonight, setting the stage for clearer, though chilly conditions come Tuesday morning.
Late Tuesday into Wednesday morning might provide some respite from the precipitation, but another wave of it is forecasted mid to late week. With Northern California's mountains bracing for an additional 2-6 inches of snow, those planning travel should stay informed about potentially slick conditions and plan accordingly, despite gusty southerly winds that could bring gusts of 20-40 mph in the north/central Sacramento Valley, and up to 30 to 50 mph over the Sierra Crest, as stated by the National Weather Service.
Looking ahead, light precipitation may affect parts of the Pacific Northwest this coming weekend, though significant impacts are not expected. As the extended forecast period winds down, a warming trend is on the horizon, with the National Weather Service predicting Valley temperatures to potentially rise above 70 degrees, and as high as 80 degrees in the north/central Sacramento Valley by next Monday.
