After a lull in early December, a wet and snowy pattern returns to Northern California this week. This period of active weather lasts from Wednesday night through Monday.

Parts of the valley could receive five centimeters of rain during this time. Two to three feet of needed powder could be seen at Tahoe ski areas.

Here’s a breakdown of the three different periods of rain and snow forecast for the next six days.

Wednesday evening – Thursday

Wednesday will remain dry during the day. Travel in the Valley, Foothills and Sierra is not affected by weather until well after sunset.

After 9 p.m. a line of light to moderate rain will move into the valley and continue until 5 a.m. Sacramento will see quarter to half an inch of rain during this time. The areas to the north could experience slightly higher amounts. There will be smaller accumulations in southern areas.

Roads will be wet for the Thursday morning commute, but most locations will remain dry for the rest of the day.

Snow in the Sierra will increase around midnight Wednesday and continue into Thursday morning. About 6 inches of snow will accumulate on Thunder and Echo Peaks. Chain controls are expected to be required on Interstate 80, Highway 88 and Highway 50 Thursday morning. Travel conditions will improve Thursday afternoon.

Saturday

A second weather system is likely to bring higher amounts of rain and snow as well as gusty winds on Saturday.

The KCRA 3 weather team is expecting a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain in the Sacramento Valley on Tuesday evening. The foothills could see over an inch of rain.

It is expected to be somewhat dry in the valley on Saturday. Higher resolution forecast models will help pinpoint this by Thursday.

Slow travel in the Sierra will likely be possible throughout the day, with snow starting early and lasting into the evening. Up to 30 cm of fresh snow was seen on Donner and Echo peaks.

Wind gusts are not expected to cause any damage, but the breeze will add to the nuisance this weekend.

Monday

A third system rounds out a busy stretch of weather.

As of Tuesday evening, forecast models indicate an additional 1 to 1 inch of rain for the Valley and another 5 to 10 inches of snow in the Sierra above 6,000 feet.

The forecast for Monday is likely to change somewhat as the day approaches and models get a clearer picture of the end of this rain pattern.

Plan for the possibility of a wet start next week with likely renewed chain checks in the mountains.

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