Heavy snow and high winds will continue to make travel dangerous in the mountains on Saturday. KCRA 3 is calling Saturday an Alert Day because of hazardous snowy conditions above 5000 feet in the Sierra. Unnecessary travel is strongly discouraged in that area.The snow level has also dropped much lower, leaving some Foothills communities with slippery conditions to start the day. Expect the snow level to hover around 2500 feet during the day Saturday. Wet snow will be on and off between 2500 feet and 4000 feet this afternoon and evening. Related | See our liveblog of snow impacts here. Get a closer look at the Foothills snow forecast here. Winter Snowstorm TimelineHeavy snow will continue all day Saturday above 5000 feet, along with gusty winds. This will create blizzard-like conditions at times over the mountain passes.| RELATED CONTENT | What does a blizzard warning for the Sierra actually mean?An additional two to three feet of snow is expected above 6000 feet on Saturday. Another foot of snow is possible on Sunday. Travel will be somewhat easier over the passes on Sunday, but drivers should still expect significant slow-downs as crews work to remove snow.In the Foothills, communities at 4000 feet can expect up to 18 inches of snow on Saturday. Another three to six inches of wet snow is possible Sunday. Below 4000 feet, wet snow will come in on and off rounds, accumulating a couple of inches at a time. Communities at 3000 feet can expect up to six inches of snow Saturday with another two to four inches possible Sunday.RainSaturday morning will be mainly dry in the Valley, but afternoon showers and a few soaking thunderstorms are possible. Most Valley locations will see less than a quarter of an inch of rain Saturday, but areas that see thunderstorms could pick up closer to a half inch of rain. Flooding issues are not expected, but there may be some isolated ponding on roadways.There is a chance for a few more showers on Sunday, but rain is expected to be less widespread compared to Saturday.WindsSaturday will be another breezy day with the strongest winds expected over the crest of the Sierra. Open areas in the mountains could see gusts over 50 mph throughout the day. In the Valley, a southwesterly breeze may gust to 30 mph Saturday afternoon. Winds will be a bit lighter on Sunday, but blowing snow may still reduce visibility in the Sierra. Get California storm-readyDownload our app for the latest breaking news and weather alertsTrack live California Doppler radarSee our live traffic mapSend us your weather videos and photosBe prepared for road closures: Download Caltrans’ QuickMap app or check the latest QuickMap road conditions here. This will also show chain control information.Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaChief meteorologist Mark Finan on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and TwitterWatch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.
Heavy snow and high winds will continue to make travel dangerous in the mountains on Saturday.
KCRA 3 is calling Saturday an Alert Day because of hazardous snowy conditions above 5000 feet in the Sierra. Unnecessary travel is strongly discouraged in that area.
The snow level has also dropped much lower, leaving some Foothills communities with slippery conditions to start the day. Expect the snow level to hover around 2500 feet during the day Saturday. Wet snow will be on and off between 2500 feet and 4000 feet this afternoon and evening.
Winter Snowstorm Timeline
Heavy snow will continue all day Saturday above 5000 feet, along with gusty winds. This will create blizzard-like conditions at times over the mountain passes.
| RELATED CONTENT | What does a blizzard warning for the Sierra actually mean?
An additional two to three feet of snow is expected above 6000 feet on Saturday. Another foot of snow is possible on Sunday. Travel will be somewhat easier over the passes on Sunday, but drivers should still expect significant slow-downs as crews work to remove snow.
In the Foothills, communities at 4000 feet can expect up to 18 inches of snow on Saturday. Another three to six inches of wet snow is possible Sunday.
Below 4000 feet, wet snow will come in on and off rounds, accumulating a couple of inches at a time. Communities at 3000 feet can expect up to six inches of snow Saturday with another two to four inches possible Sunday.
Rain
Saturday morning will be mainly dry in the Valley, but afternoon showers and a few soaking thunderstorms are possible.
Most Valley locations will see less than a quarter of an inch of rain Saturday, but areas that see thunderstorms could pick up closer to a half inch of rain. Flooding issues are not expected, but there may be some isolated ponding on roadways.
There is a chance for a few more showers on Sunday, but rain is expected to be less widespread compared to Saturday.
Winds
Saturday will be another breezy day with the strongest winds expected over the crest of the Sierra.
Open areas in the mountains could see gusts over 50 mph throughout the day.
In the Valley, a southwesterly breeze may gust to 30 mph Saturday afternoon.
Winds will be a bit lighter on Sunday, but blowing snow may still reduce visibility in the Sierra.
Get California storm-ready
Follow our KCRA weather team on social media
Watch our forecasts on TV or online
Here’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.
We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.
