textproduct: Sacramento

KEY MESSAGES

- Major holiday travel impacts from periods of heavy rain, thunderstorms, heavy mountain snow, and gusty winds through Friday. - Heavy snow is expected through Friday, with snowfall rates of 1-2" per hour at times.

- Periods of heavy rainfall are anticipated across the Valley and lower foothills with additional flood impacts possible through Friday.

..Saturday through early next week

Lingering minor impacts in the mountains from snow showers and breezy conditions on Saturday, while areas dry out in the Valley. Conditions dry out everywhere end of the weekend and into early next week with temperatures in the 40s and 50s. Chances for low stratus and fog to develop at lower elevations early next week reducing visibility. As we approach the early part of the new year, long range guidance has started to pick up on a more active pattern setting up once again across CA and the southwestern United States.

AVIATION

MVFR/VFR conditions through this afternoon. Current satellite has breakage in the clouds across the Valley, with showers and storms developing along the Coastal Range and east of the Sacramento Metro. We will see waves of moderate to heavy precipitation with scattered thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours continuing through the overnight. Best chances for thunderstorms will be this afternoon and evening across the Valley. Isolated stronger storms can't be ruled out. Storms near a TAF location may reduce visibilities from heavy rain, have erratic winds, and produce lightning. IFR/MVFR conditions in thunderstorms overnight through the end of the TAF period. Snow levels are currently around 4500 feet om the Sierra and 3500-4500 feet in the Coastal Range/southern Cascades.

STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for Carquinez Strait and Delta-Central Sacramento Valley-Motherlode-Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County-Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley-Northern Sacramento Valley-Northern San Joaquin Valley-Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County- Southern Sacramento Valley.

Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST Friday for Burney Basin / Eastern Shasta County-Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County-Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County- West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen Park.

Wind Advisory until 10 AM PST Friday for Carquinez Strait and Delta-Central Sacramento Valley-Motherlode-Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley-Northern Sacramento Valley-Northern San Joaquin Valley-Southern Sacramento Valley.