The National Weather Service Sacramento office issued a weather alert today, warning residents of Northern California about the possibility of isolated thunderstorms between 1 pm and 8 pm. The forecast indicates potential impacts such as lightning, brief heavy rain, gusty winds, and even small hail.
The region is already experiencing the initial wave of a three-part storm system, and the first storm’s effects are becoming evident. The precipitation amounts, snow levels, and wind gusts associated with this initial storm have been outlined by meteorologists. Notably, gusty winds are expected to impact the northern Sacramento Valley, while heavy snowfall is anticipated in the Sierra region from today into Thursday.
The storm’s main front is forecasted to bring the heaviest rain later this afternoon and evening, coinciding with the heaviest snowfall in the Sierra region during the evening and overnight.
In a real-time update, the National Weather Service provided a radar update at 1:30 PM, indicating active rain showers moving through Northern California. These bands of rain are expected to persist through the afternoon and evening, particularly in the mountainous areas above 5000-6000 feet, accompanied by gusty winds.