SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Thursday afternoon storm system is coming just before a larger weekend winter storm, which is expected to carry plenty of moisture.
Thursday will be a bit of a warm up to the weekend as a trough digs over the eastern Pacific. As the storm arrives, winds will pick up out of the south and southeast with the rotation and pull of the storm. Winds could reach 15 to 25 mph in the valley Thursday night with 35 to 45 mph gusts in the Sierra.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Thursday's storm, lasting from 10:00 p.m. Thursday, until 4:00 am Friday. About 6 inches to 12 inches of snow is possible with this first storm.
Thursday's rain totals are welcomed but meager with .10 to .25 of an inch possible from Sacramento to the San Joaquin Valley.
While rain and snow is not to be ignored Thursday, totals will be no match for the potential 1 to 3 inches of rain across valley and foothill spots Saturday into Sunday.
A strong low pressure system accompanied by an category 1 atmospheric river is set to arrive early Saturday morning for the Sacramento Valley.
Overnight Friday into Saturday morning, the region could expect the first traces of rain and snow arriving. The most overall impactful time for rain in the valley will be around 7:00 a.m. with continuous rain expected into the afternoon before breaking up into scattered showers.
Mountain snow will be cause for concern as 2 to 5 feet is possible over a 48-hour period. Blowing snow may lead to potential Avalanche Warnings this weekend.
Rain totals could reach as high as 1 to 3 inches through Sunday.
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