CALIFORNIA, USA — Rain and snow showers are falling in California in the first wave of a wet weather pattern that is expected to spread throughout the state and extend through Christmas.
Forecasters warn that holiday travel, especially through high passes, will be affected by multiple rounds of rain, mountain snow and gusty winds.
Winter storm warnings are in effect in sections of the Sierra Nevada and will last through Sunday. Chain requirements are in effect on some stretches of routes through the Sierra.
Rain so far has been light to moderate around the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Heavy Rain and Snow in Northern California
Heading into a series of storms, Northern California has banked nearly 12 inches of rainfall since the start of the water year in October. But there's still more to come through Sunday and possibly into the new year, 2022.
Heavy rain, snow and isolated thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday night as a Winter Storm Warning kicks in Thursday morning and sticks around for the holiday week. While the Foothills carry most of the thunderstorm concerns, there's a possibility that parts of Sacramento could see an isolated thunderstorm as well.
By Thursday, the heavier rainfall could be returning to Sacramento, Fairfield and Placerville areas around 6 a.m. with possible downpours in parts of the Foothills. In the higher terrains of the Sierra, there'll be opportunities for whiteout conditions. Stockton could see moderate to heavy rain as the storm passes through in the morning and brushes south of Placerville.
“As we get into Thursday night, we take a collective sigh. Now, you’re looking at a few clouds around, a few spotty showers, but all of the opportunity for heavy rainfall and snowfall will have cleared much of the area, but we’re not done yet,” said ABC10 Meteorologist Tracy Humphrey.
The next storm passes through Northern California on Christmas Eve, but it doesn't appear to be a heavy hitter. Nonetheless, rain showers stay in the forecast with the best chance of rain for Sacramento on Friday morning. By Christmas morning, there'll be opportunities for falling snow levels, and some elevations below 2,500 feet could even see snowfall, albeit not much.
By Sunday morning, Sacramento is expecting close to 2 inches of rain along with Lodi. Grass Valley is expecting 2.5 inches of rain and Placerville is expecting close to 3 inches.
The Winter Storm Warning starts 4 a.m. Thursday for areas above 4,500 feet and stretches to 4 p.m. Sunday. There is 2 to 4 feet of snowfall possible for areas above 4,500 feet in elevation. For areas above 7,000 feet, they could be getting up to 8 feet of snowfall. Due to more heavy snowfall in the Sierra, there is an Avalanche Watch in effect Thursday through Monday morning.
For a full breakdown on the winter storm forecast, click HERE or watch the video below.
“Stay at home"
Wednesday night, the rain passing through intermittently along I-80 near Auburn. The road conditions were rough as rain and plugged water drains has Caltrans crews working on the roads.
CHP is advising people not to drive if they don’t have to, because conditions get worse as soon as people get closer to the summit. Chain control is currently in effect, and CHP is checking for traction control devices at Kingvale.
In Auburn, a few people were trying to get over the mountain before conditions got too bad.
“I am going to Truckee, and I am glad that I’m leaving right now because a storm is about to hit and the highways are going to close," said Amy Delgadillo, a driver passing through the area. "I wouldn’t be able to get home and no more Christmas for me with the family.”
For Bradley Lee, who lives in Auburn along the freeway, he says every time the freeway gets shut down because of snow, all the people who get can’t get over the mountain end up sleeping in the parking lot of apartments to wait out the storm.
“Stay at home. It's dangerous; we could lose lives. You’ll have to throw on the chains. Its just not worth it,” he said.
If anyone is driving in this weather, CHP says they should keep a safe distance, watch for standing water or ice and turn up the defroster to make sure their window are clear.