textproduct: Sacramento

KEY MESSAGES

- A break in precipitation is expected Today through Saturday, though morning Valley fog chances persist through Saturday.

- The coldest storm of the season so far arrives late Sunday and continues through mid next week, bringing significant mountain travel impacts.

..Sunday through Mid-Next Week

The coldest system of the season so far arrives Sunday, bringing gusty winds, moderate to heavy mountain snow, and moderate rainfall through the middle of next week. Heaviest snowfall is expected on Monday and Tuesday, with several feet of snow forecasted to fall above 5000 feet. The NBM currently has a 70 to 90% chance of at least 2 feet of snow above 5000 ft between Sunday evening and early Wednesday morning. Above 3000 feet, the NBM has a 50 to 80% chance of 1 foot of snow or more during the same time period. Snow levels in the Sierra will fall from 4000 to 5000 feet on Sunday, down to around 3000 feet by Tuesday. The cold air associated with this system could bring snow levels down even further, though there is still quite a bit of uncertainty in this regard. This does mean, however, that there is a non-zero chance for some snow accumulations down into the foothills over the course of the storm.

Rain totals in the Valley will be highest in the northern Sacramento Valley, with a 50 to 80% chance that 2 inches or more of rain will fall between Sunday and early Wednesday. Elsewhere in the Valley, there is a 50 to 70% chance of one inch or more of rain. Though uncertainty remains about the exact timing, snow levels, and precipitation totals for this storm, details should become more concrete in the next couple of days.

AVIATION

Mainly VFR conditions over the next 24 hours. Brief period of MVFR to LIFR reductions due to patchy fog formation after 12z Thursday across Valley TAF sites. Highest potential at RDD, RBL, SCK, and MOD. Fog should quickly burn off by late Thursday morning. Northerly winds below 10 kts.

STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.