Sacramento, CA – An early-season storm has brought significant snow to the Sierra and soaking rains to the Northern California foothills and Sacramento Valley, marking the arrival of the first substantial weather event of the season.
Rain in the Sacramento Valley
Rain began moving into the Sacramento area early Monday afternoon, and more than a half-inch of rain is expected by around 5 p.m.. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms within the rain bands, which could produce localized wind gusts of 40-50 mph if they materialize late in the afternoon or evening. However, widespread high winds are not anticipated at this time.
The heaviest rainfall in the valley is expected to move through later Monday afternoon and evening. Areas of rain will continue into Tuesday, gradually tapering to showers by Tuesday afternoon. Widespread rainfall totals are expected to be around 1-1.5 inches, with localized amounts of up to 2 inches possible, especially where thunderstorms develop.
Sierra Snow and Winter Weather Warnings
A Winter Storm Warning is currently in effect for elevations above 6,500 feet, lasting through Wednesday morning. Snow has already started accumulating along the western slope of the Sierra by Monday afternoon, with heavier snow expected through Monday evening. The heaviest snow will continue throughout Tuesday with varying intensities.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in place for the eastern slope of the Sierra, including Truckee and South Lake Tahoe, where 1-2 inches of snow are possible at lake level. Snow accumulation is expected to be heaviest above 6,500 feet, with areas like Donner Pass and Soda Springs potentially receiving up to 16 inches of snow by Wednesday.
The timing of the heaviest snow will greatly affect snow totals. If the heaviest snow falls before sunset, there will be less accumulation compared to if it occurs overnight, as sun angle and temperatures play a role in snow accumulation—especially for October storms.
What are your thoughts on this early-season storm? Share your experiences in the comments below.
