Rain, wind and snow in the forecast for Northern California ahead of ‘super El Niño’ winter
Northern California is bracing for wet and gloomy conditions this week as the first in a series of storms rolls into the region.
Meteorologists are expecting rain, wind and snow to cover the region from early Tuesday morning to at least Saturday afternoon.
The level of intensity will vary depending on where you are, said meteorologist Dakari Anderson with the National Weather Service.
More wet weather is predicted in the coming weeks.
Most of the state is expected to see wet conditions this winter as a “super” El Niño makes its way through Earth’s northern hemisphere.
El Niño and its counterpart, La Niña, are climate phenomenons that can affect weather patterns across the globe with extreme pressure systems, rainfall and wind, the National Weather Service wrote on its website.
The climate patterns have four levels of intensity with “super” being the most severe, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
The almanac is predicting a super level of intensity this season.
Here's an updated look at rainfall totals from Tuesday morning through Saturday afternoon. Highest rainfall is expected midday Tuesday through Wednesday, though there is still some uncertainty on exact timing and intensity of the rain. Take care when driving in the rain!#CAwx pic.twitter.com/zu0aVFXWN0
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) November 13, 2023
What’s in the weather forecast for Northern California?
Here’s the weather forecast for Northern California, as of Monday morning:
TUESDAY
The first wave of precipitation will mainly hit the northern valley, with the highest amounts concentrated in the Redding area along the coastal range.
Anderson said the rain is forecast to lighten up by Tuesday afternoon, specifically in the areas stretching from Chico to south of Red Bluff.
Sacramento could receive up to a tenth of an inch of rain, with smaller amounts southward. Around a quarter of an inch is expected to hit the areas from Redding to Yuba City.
The rain is expected to dwindle by Tuesday evening.
WEDNESDAY
The heaviest storm system is expected to hit Northern California on Wednesday. It will be concentrated in the southern portion of the Sacramento Valley and the foothills.
Under a tenth of an inch of rain is expected in the areas north of Redding, while between a quarter of an inch to nearly a half of an inch of rainfall is expected from Red Bluff to Modesto.
In Sacramento, light winds are forecast with just above a quarter of an inch of rain. The strongest winds could whip in foothills, between 20 to 30 mph.
Anderson said the rainfall is forecast to be “pretty consistent” before tapering off early Thursday morning from north of Sacramento to Redding. Those areas may not see rain again until the weekend.
Thunderstorms were not in the forecast as of Monday morning.
THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
Rain is forecast through the weekend, although Anderson said the chance for precipitation will “move around a little bit” as the week progresses.
There’s between a 10% and 40% chance of at least 4 inches of snow above 7,000 feet elevation, the weather service wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.
Predicted snow totals over the Sierra and southern Cascades have decreased since yesterday, with the highest snowfall expected to be south of I-80. Snow levels are currently anticipated to be at 7000-8000 feet, and there is a 10-40% probability of 4+ inches at pass level.#CAwx pic.twitter.com/dzPPNkI0JY
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) November 13, 2023
What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
