There’s no denying that winter has officially made an appearance in Northern California. A significant storm system has started making its way down the West Coast, arriving in the northern and central region of our state on Saturday. This system represents our first big snow storm of the season, so you’ll want to make sure you’re completely prepared for anything it may throw at us—especially if you live in a higher elevation area or have plans to travel during the upcoming days.
Northern California said hello to its first big snow storm of the season on Saturday when a storm system started moving down the West Coast, arriving in the form of both rain and snow across various regions of the state.
The storm has already put a significant damper on holiday travel plans, especially in the Sierra foothills and the Lake Tahoe area. Currently, the National Weather Service has a winter storm watch in effect through 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 2nd.
During this time, highway drivers can expect major travel delays, possible road closures, and near whiteout conditions. Travel throughout Northern California is being highly discouraged through Monday. If you do travel, tire chains may be required.
Rain began falling in Sacramento around 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and it's expected to continue into Monday night. All in all, the system is expected to bring 1 to 3 inches of rain to Sacramento and 2 to 6 inches in the surrounding foothills. It's going to be a wet few days, so keep an umbrella handy!
Additionally, regions throughout the Sierra Nevada foothills will see a significant amount of snowfall. Communities that are situated around 2,500-feet elevation could receive around 10 to 15 inches of snow. Elevations around 6,000-feet could receive as much as 5 feet of snow.
Several highways, including Interstate 80, have already experienced closures over the weekend due to the weather conditions. Be sure to stay up to date regarding which highways are open or not. Driving through mountain passes such as Donner Summit and Carson Pass is expected to be extremely difficult, if not impossible.
If you plan on traveling either today or in the next few days, be sure to plan accordingly. Although pretty to look at, this snow storm is no joke. Drive cautiously, pack a safety kit, and stay safe this winter.
What do you think? Have you started to see the effects of this snow storm where you live? Share with us in the comments below. Traveling in storms like this is always a hassle, but there’s a lot to love about winter. Just take a look at our list of 7 Awesome Places In Northern California You Must Visit This Winter.
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