Light rain and snow showers continue through the afternoon. Moderate to locally heavy snow is forecast over the mountains today. Snowfall accumulations are also expected in the foothills. Cold but drier weather is expected later in the week.
Discussion
A system is moving through the region today with the bulk of the rain and snow expected this morning. Snow levels are ranging from near 1000 feet over Shasta County to between 2000 and 2500 feet in the Motherlode. Several inches of snow is forecast for the foothills this morning.
Snow levels this afternoon may rise to between 3000 to 3500 feet. The mountains are expected to get between 2 and 9 additional inches of snow with the higher totals from around I-80 southward.
Rainfall amounts within the valley will generally range between a quarter to half an inch. Generally dry on Thursday with an inside slider moving over the Great Basin. This may bring some light mountain snow showers. Dry conditions for Friday and New Years day. Temperatures will remain below normal for this time of year more noticeably in the mountains.
Extended Discussion (Sunday through Wednesday)
A weak ridge on Sunday will be transitioning to a trough during the day but Sunday looks to be dry at this point with temperatures remaining a little below seasonal normals.
By Monday morning rain and snow may start to spread across the northern areas spreading south during the day reaching the southern areas late in the afternoon to early evening.
Snow levels look higher with this event generally around 2000 feet over the Shasta County to around 4000 feet over the western slopes.
A couple of days of decent rain and snow are forecast before transitioning to showers for Wednesday. Snow melt in the foothills and lower mountain elevations will likely increase runoff into the rivers and streams, so expect a decent rise in water levels. There is also the potential for several additional feet of snow or more for the mountains.