California Cities About to Get Hit With New Storm

Widespread rain and high elevation snow will begin moving through California on Thursday, according to a National Weather Service (NWS) forecast.

The state has faced an abnormally wet winter as moisture-laden storms and atmospheric rivers dumped a deluge of rain and snow beginning in January. Three back-to-back storms recently brought heavy rain and snow across the state, supplementing many of the state's reservoirs, and more precipitation is on the way to finish out the week.

A winter storm advisory is in place across the northern half of California. The storm arrived early on Thursday, the NWS Bay Area office posted on X (formerly Twitter). According to the forecast, San Francisco will get hit with rains first on Thursday morning. Then the storm will move through the state, bringing precipitation to San Jose, Sacramento, Salinas later in the morning and Merced, Sonora and Fresno by the afternoon.

"A storm system is expected to come to the region early on Thursday, with showers and possible thunderstorms continuing into Friday morning. Here's one model's idea when the most intense rain could come through the region," NWS Bay Area posted on X on Wednesday night with the forecast.

After the storm weakens by Thursday evening, some rain will return to the area Friday morning. Newsweek reached out to NWS Bay Area by phone for comment.

In a follow-up post, NWS Bay Area gave the forecasted precipitation amounts. San Francisco could receive up to an inch of rain, with San Jose receiving roughly half an inch. Further south, Big Sur could receive 1.5 inches.

NWS Bay Area added that widespread flooding doesn't seem likely with the storm. However, it could bring up to a foot of snow in high-elevation areas.

"Snow showers are expected over the region from today into Friday. Santa Lucia Range could see up to 6-12" in the highest peaks, the peaks in the North Bay and Santa Cruz Mountains could see up to 3", and peaks of the East Bay up to 3-6"," NWS Bay Area posted on X with a map of where the snow will fall.

Although flooding isn't expected, the storm could still make for hazardous travel.

"Travel could be very difficult with slick roads and chain controls leading to delays," NWS Sacramento warned in its report. "Gusty winds could bring down tree branches."

Further south, San Diego is under a winter storm warning advising residents that heavy snow is expected on Friday for areas with elevations of 4,000 feet and higher.