December 19, 2012 - A Major snow storm is forecast to hit interior northern California late Thursday through Sunday. Three to more than 5 feet of snow is forecast over the mountains through the three-plus day period. Snow levels will be much lower in the Shasta County mountains, down to around 600 feet Thursday night before rising to above 3000 feet during the weekend. This means heavy snowfall along Interstate 5 is likely with possible accumulations of 1 to 3 feet.
The mountain valleys of Plumas County will also experience snow, with 1 to 2 feet possible in the Chester and Quincy areas. Along the Interstate 80 and Highway 50 corridor, 2 to 4 feet of snow is forecast - with higher amounts possible for the area ski resorts.
South of the Highway 50, 1 to 3 feet of snow is expected. Over the coastal range, heavy snow is expected along highway 36 and the Mendocino Pass along Highway 162 with 3 to 5 feet possible at the higher elevations.
These snowfall amounts can lead to travel delays and road closures. If planning travel over the mountains, be sure to monitor the latest forecasts. Be prepared for hazardous winter travel.
Breezy to strong southerly winds are expected Thursday into Saturday with aviation flight level sustained winds of 40 to 50 knots at 3000 feet and 50 to 70 knots at 10,000 feet mean sea level.
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