Weather Impact Alert for Northern California as we enter 2026. Rain showers for the valley & snow in the high country by the weekend will make for a soggy New Year.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Weather conditions forecast for the Sacramento region for New Year’s Eve and into the first few days of 2026 are leaning wetter!
Our next weather system will be entering Northern California in the final few hours of 2025 and could impact New Year’s Eve plans. Although this storm is nowhere near the level of our Christmas week storm, the timing still makes this one to pay attention to.
We likely are not looking at total washout conditions at any point this week, but certainly showery and otherwise unsettled weather will prevail as we ring in the new year.
When
The first showers arrive by the afternoon of December 31st, and continue as we head towards midnight.
On and off showers will continue across the valley through New Year’s Day and even into the weekend. Heavier rain is possible on Friday evening ahead of the colder air.
Colder air doesn’t arrive until later in the day on Friday, so snow levels are expected to remain mostly above the passes until Friday. So even the Sierra will be looking at mostly rain through the start of the New Year. By the weekend, much colder air arrives and snow levels will drop towards 6,000 feet.
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Impact
By the time we get to midweek, the stable high pressure overhead gets dislodged as a cold system drops in from the Gulf of Alaska. This incoming system means unsettled weather and the end of the fog. It also means rain and snow chances, just in time for the holiday.
This New Year’s system is not as big of a storm as what we had for Christmas. Nonetheless, because of the timing, it’s going to be annoyingly impactful.
Rain develops in the afternoon and evening of December 31st, continuing through midnight. This could disrupt fireworks shows and other outside New Year’s celebrations. Keep an eye on the forecast. Widespread showers from the coast to the valley to Tahoe are looking more likely from 6p to 12a.
Rain showers are going to be an annoyance for most New Year’s plans, whether they are on the 31st or the 1st. And because rain will continue off and on through at least Saturday, it may be hard to find a prolonged dry period.
Rainfall totals are likely to be between an inch and two inches for most of the valley. Not a big rain event, and nothing like our Christmas storm, but still something to be mindful of.
Snow levels remain high through Friday morning, at which point colder air arrives and snow levels drop towards the passes. Snow levels will go from 8,000-9,000 feet between Wednesday and Thursday, to 5,500-6,500 feet between Friday and Sunday.
One to three feet of snow is expected at the high passes by the time this storm is over. It’s a welcome addition to the four to six feet of snow the Sierra picked up over Christmas.
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Need
Stay aware of the weather! Not a total washout, even on New Year’s Eve, but New Year’s Day will be better with more breaks between the scattered rain showers. However, conditions could change quickly, and some parts of the valley might be dry at midnight while others are actively seeing rain.
If you have weekend plans to Tahoe, be aware that snow will be falling on Interstate 80 and Highway 50. Chains are likely to be needed.
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