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 the first few days of 2026 are wet and windy!
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 in the valley, but certainly showery and otherwise unsettled weather will prevail as we ring in the new year.
When
On and off showers will continue across the valley through New Year’s Day. Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon will see mainly dry conditions with only isolated showers. Heavier rain moves in 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 outside of a few hours on Thursday where light snow could fall at the passes, 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.
The strongest winds will be Friday night through Saturday morning as the cold front associated with the second storm pushes across NorCal. Wind gusts 25-35 mph are expected.
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Impact
Rainfall totals are likely to be between an inch and three inches for most of the valley. Not a big rain event, and nothing like our Christmas storm, but still something to be mindful of.
Thursday will start off with rain in the valley, but rain becomes much more scattered as we head into the afternoon. Friday will be even drier for most of the day. By the time we get to Friday night though, the next system comes in and will bring heavy rain for the overnight period Friday-Saturday.
Along with the heavier rain and onset of snow Friday night through Saturday morning, strong southerly winds develop across the valley. Wind gusts are expected to be up to about 35 mph, which is much lower than our Christmas Eve/Christmas Day winds, but still something to be mindful of. Saturday will remain gusty, but the strongest gusts will be in the morning.
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 7,000-8,000 feet between Wednesday and Thursday. Light snow is possible at times at the passes, though accumulations will be minimal with only a few inches expected. As the snow levels drop to 5,500-6,500 feet between Friday and Sunday as the colder air arrives, another 2-3 feet of snow is expected.
In total, 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 and New Year’s Day will be better with more breaks between the scattered rain showers. However, conditions could change quickly. Heavier rain and possible thunderstorms develop for Saturday, so keep an eye on the forecast if you have plans.
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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GO DEEPER: The ABC10 Weather Impact Team investigates algae and bacterial threats to some of California’s largest natural lakes.