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A rainy first weekend of the new year is ahead as a colder system brings heavy rain, thunderstorms, wind, and snow back to Northern California.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Weather conditions forecast for the Sacramento region heading into the first weekend of 2026 are wet and windy! The ABC10 Weather Impact team is calling for a Weather Impact Alert to remain in effect through Monday.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be present across the valley and foothills throughout the weekend. A washout is not expected, but folks should keep an eye on the weather, as conditions could change quickly. And remember: if you hear thunder, go inside.
If you’re going up to Tahoe, be ready for winter weather! Snow levels will be down to 5500 feet. Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected at the passes throughout the weekend. Chain controls will be needed to slow travel!
Rain and snow will linger into Monday before winding down.
When
The strongest winds arrive with the onset of the heavier rain, so expect wind gusts of 25-35 mph out of the southeast late Friday and through Saturday morning. Stronger winds will be present in the upper Sacramento Valley near Chico, Red Bluff, and Redding, where a Wind Advisory is in effect from Friday night through Sunday morning.
Sierra snow gets going a couple of hours after the rain moves in. By late Friday evening, we’ll see snow developing at the high passes and chain controls will likely be needed pretty quickly. Expect snowy conditions in the Sierra all weekend.
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Impact
By Saturday morning, colder air will lower snow levels towards and below the passes. Snow levels will continue to fall through the weekend, down to about 6000 ft. Moderate to heavy snowfall will be present at the high passes on Interstate 80 and Highway 50 for most of the weekend. Travel will be slow-going due to the snow and chain controls.
A Winter Storm Warning is posted for the Sierra above 5500 feet from Friday evening through Monday afternoon.
A Flood Watch is posted for the Sacramento Valley, foothills below 4000 feet until Monday afternoon.
The ski resorts are going to start the new year off with another 2-4 FT of snow through the weekend. It’s a welcome addition to the 4 to 6 feet of snow the Sierra received over Christmas.
It’s also going to be gusty across Northern California on Friday night and Saturday morning as the heavier rain and cold front move through. Wind gusts are likely to be upwards of 35 mph out of the southeast, but we’re not expecting to see anything near as strong as what we had on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
This system is likely to linger into the start of next week, although valley rain and Sierra snow will get lighter and more scattered by Monday.
Weather Impact Resources
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Need
Stay weather aware. A weekend washout is not expected, but there will be periods of inclement weather.
If you’re staying in the valley this weekend, keep the umbrella handy and remember to go inside if you hear thunder.
For folks travelling to the Bay Area – perhaps for the big San Francisco 49ers game on Saturday – stay weather-aware as well. Rain showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible on Saturday, including around kickoff.
Lastly, skiers and other folks headed to the mountains need to be prepared for winter weather. Moderate to heavy snowfall will make travel difficult. Chain controls will be in place across the main Sierra highways. Travel will not be easy or fast, so be patient and don’t rush.
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GO DEEPER: The ABC10 Weather Impact Team investigates algae and bacterial threats to some of California’s largest natural lakes.
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