Sacramento rolled out of bed Saturday to a gray, murky start, with patchy fog and mist hanging over low-lying river corridors and the Delta. Visibility dropped in those spots while temperatures hovered in the mid-40s. The fog is expected to lift by mid-morning, but forecasters say this quiet start is just the warm-up for a much wetter, windier system moving in late Sunday and sticking around through the middle of next week, according to the National Weather Service.
Saturday Snapshot
Early Saturday, patchy valley fog could knock visibility down to a half-mile or less before skies turn mostly cloudy and highs reach around 59F. Light southerly breezes should keep things relatively calm, making it a solid day to knock out outdoor chores before the real rain and wind arrive. For a look at how the morning haze is affecting drivers, see how the fog turned the commute into a slow-mo crawl, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Late Sunday Through Midweek
Rain is forecast to move in Sunday evening, February 15, then become widespread on Monday and Tuesday (February 16 6), with valley rainfall totals likely landing between 1 and 3 inches and locally higher amounts near the lower foothills. Forecasters also expect gusty southerly winds and the chance for isolated thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service Sacramento.
Wind, Snow And Travel
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory from 10 a.m. Monday, February 16 through 10 p.m. Wednesday, February 18, calling for south winds of 15 625 mph with gusts up to 35 645 mph. Those kinds of gusts can shove around unsecured objects and make driving tricky for high-profile vehicles.
Snow levels will start off near 4,500 65,000 feet and are projected to drop to around 3,000 64,000 feet late Tuesday into Wednesday. Foothill communities sitting in that 3,000 64,000-foot band could see about a foot of snow, while the highest Sierra summits may be in for several feet of accumulation.
Plan Ahead
If you are heading to the mountains, go now or shift trips into the next couple of days, bring chains and stay on top of changing road conditions. For local drives, build in extra time, use caution in dense fog or heavy rain, and avoid pulling over on freeway shoulders unless it is an emergency. Check the National Weather Service for updates and be ready to adjust plans as the storm evolves.
