A storm bringing soaking rain and gusty winds arrived Thursday in Northern California. KCRA 3’s weather team issued an Impact Day for Thursday because of how wet and windy conditions will affect outdoor activities and travel for the Valley, Foothills and Sierra. RainA few showers began Wednesday evening, but rainfall slightly increased Thursday morning, impacting the morning commute for many. Meteorologist Tamara Berg said some of the steadiest rain could hit after sunrise.Steady rain will taper to scattered showers in the Valley on Thursday afternoon. The Foothills will see a continuous soaking rain all day, with the heaviest rates expected south of Highway 50.The Sacramento Valley will see 1 to 2 inches of rain. San Joaquin Valley totals will be slightly lower. Stockton and Modesto could both see up to 1 inch of rain. Lesser amounts are expected west of Interstate 5. The Foothills will be quite wet, with communities north of Highway 50 seeing 2 to 3 inches of rain Thursday. This includes Nevada City and Placerville. Foothills communities south of Highway 50, including Sonora, could also see 2 to 3 inches of rain. Berg said localized flooding is possible, but it is unlikely that rivers or creeks will be affected by this weather system.SnowThere will be plenty of precipitation over the Tahoe area summits, but most of it will come down as rain with this storm. The snow level will stay above 7,000 feet during daylight hours on Thursday, keeping Donner and Echo summits wet and windy. Cooler air will drain in Thursday night into Friday morning, dropping the snow level to about 6,500 feet, but at this point, moisture will be running out. A couple of slushy inches of snow is expected over the Tahoe summits Thursday night into Friday morning. This could be enough for chain controls and travel delays.Bigger snow totals are expected over the Sonora and Ebbetts Pass. When chain controls are in effect, the speed limit on Interstate 80 is 30 mph. On Highway 50, the speed limit is 25 mph.WindA Wind Advisory will be in effect for the Valley and delta region Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon. Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph are possible during that time, with the peak gusts most likely to occur Thursday morning. Sierra gusts could top 60 mph in wind-prone areas. Gusts around Lake Tahoe will be closer to 45 mph. Wind gusts of 40 mph or more can be enough to bring down weak tree limbs and cause isolated power outages. REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAPClick here to see our interactive traffic map.TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADARClick here to see our interactive radar.DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATESTHere is where you can download our app.Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.Meteorologist Ophelia Young on Facebook and X.Watch 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.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
A storm bringing soaking rain and gusty winds arrived Thursday in Northern California.
KCRA 3’s weather team issued an Impact Day for Thursday because of how wet and windy conditions will affect outdoor activities and travel for the Valley, Foothills and Sierra.
Rain
A few showers began Wednesday evening, but rainfall slightly increased Thursday morning, impacting the morning commute for many. Meteorologist Tamara Berg said some of the steadiest rain could hit after sunrise.
Steady rain will taper to scattered showers in the Valley on Thursday afternoon. The Foothills will see a continuous soaking rain all day, with the heaviest rates expected south of Highway 50.
The Sacramento Valley will see 1 to 2 inches of rain.
San Joaquin Valley totals will be slightly lower. Stockton and Modesto could both see up to 1 inch of rain. Lesser amounts are expected west of Interstate 5.
The Foothills will be quite wet, with communities north of Highway 50 seeing 2 to 3 inches of rain Thursday. This includes Nevada City and Placerville. Foothills communities south of Highway 50, including Sonora, could also see 2 to 3 inches of rain.
Berg said localized flooding is possible, but it is unlikely that rivers or creeks will be affected by this weather system.
Snow
There will be plenty of precipitation over the Tahoe area summits, but most of it will come down as rain with this storm.
The snow level will stay above 7,000 feet during daylight hours on Thursday, keeping Donner and Echo summits wet and windy.
Cooler air will drain in Thursday night into Friday morning, dropping the snow level to about 6,500 feet, but at this point, moisture will be running out. A couple of slushy inches of snow is expected over the Tahoe summits Thursday night into Friday morning. This could be enough for chain controls and travel delays.
Bigger snow totals are expected over the Sonora and Ebbetts Pass.
When chain controls are in effect, the speed limit on Interstate 80 is 30 mph. On Highway 50, the speed limit is 25 mph.
Wind
A Wind Advisory will be in effect for the Valley and delta region Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon. Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph are possible during that time, with the peak gusts most likely to occur Thursday morning.
Sierra gusts could top 60 mph in wind-prone areas. Gusts around Lake Tahoe will be closer to 45 mph.
Wind gusts of 40 mph or more can be enough to bring down weak tree limbs and cause isolated power outages.
REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAP
Click here to see our interactive traffic map.
TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADAR
Click here to see our interactive radar.
DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATEST
Here is where you can download our app.
Follow our KCRA weather team on social media
- Meteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.
- Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on Facebook
- Meteorologist Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.
- Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.
- Meteorologist Ophelia Young on Facebook and X.
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.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel