Mountain snow and Valley rain showers continue through early this evening. Another chance for wet weather is possible Friday into early Saturday.
Discussion
Main long wave upper trough will transition into the northern Plains States today leaving a moist northwest flow pattern on its backside over the Pacific Northwest extending south over NorCal. A few weak disturbances dropping southeast in this flow will keep snow showers going over the mountains into at least the early afternoon.
Snow levels have risen to above 5,500 feet and could from 2 to 4 inches of wet snow is possible through 1 pm over Interstate 80 above 5,500 feet Kingvale to Donner. Very little in the way of precip over the Valley during the day with rainfall amounts less than 0.10 inches, a bit higher amounts over the foothills extending into the mountains below the snow level where 0.20 to 0.50 inches could fall.
Winds have diminished from the strong and gusty magnitudes of Monday, but could still have a few southerly gusts to 22 mph or so today, especially over the Central Sacramento Valley.
Short range ensemble indicate brief short wave ridging building in Wednesday and Thursday with dry weather and light winds returning.
A weak system is then progged to drop southeast Friday into early Saturday with light precipitation. Snow levels look to be fairly high above 5,500 feet with this system with early snowfall amounts from 4 to 8 inches predicted. Valley precip amounts look to be less than 0.25 inches with 0.50 to 1.00 over the foothills.
Extended Discussion (Saturday through Tuesday)
Dry weather expected through the weekend as progs in agreement of upper ridge moving through. Models differ with next upstream system on depth and progression. Solutions suggest either the short wave significantly weakens as it moves inland, or upper ridge keeps the feature offshore. Both scenarios point to continued dry weather over the CWA through Tuesday.