The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Sierra Nevada mountains and Yosemite Valley, effective from 4 p.m. Thursday through 10 p.m. Friday. Snow levels are expected to drop as low as 4,000 feet on Friday, with higher elevations above 4,500 feet receiving between 6 and 10 inches of snow. Motorists should exercise caution, as roads in these areas may become slick and visibility reduced.
The San Joaquin Valley is also set to feel the effects of this weather system. Rain is expected to start on Friday morning and continue into early Saturday. Rainfall amounts on the Valley floor could reach up to a quarter-inch, with a 40–60% chance of precipitation. This storm brings the first significant rain for many Valley areas as temperatures are projected to remain below average through Tuesday before a slight warm-up by mid-next week.
This low-pressure system, currently offshore, will move inland Thursday, first impacting Northern California before sweeping into Central California. Snowfall in higher elevations is likely to be heaviest from Thursday evening into Friday morning, potentially affecting travel in the Sierra.