National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists published a map on Wednesday showing which California cities were expecting more than a foot of snow with the late-season winter storm this weekend.
More than 12 inches of snow are forecast for the high-elevation Sierra Nevada mountains this weekend, with possible locally higher amounts between 18 and 24 inches. Lower elevation areas are expecting rain.
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The storm comes at the start of the state's dry season, following a series of atmospheric rivers that produced an abnormally wet winter with above-average snowpack throughout the state. Atmospheric rivers are likened to rivers in the sky, and when they make landfall, they cause torrential rain and sometimes snowfall.
The forecast shows the heaviest snow falling in Lassen National Park, where up to 24 inches is expected. Further south, 12 inches of snow is expected in Ebbetts Pass and Sonora Pass. Mountain snow could begin as early as Friday night.
"We've got wet, cold, & stormy weather in store for us as a storm system aims to bring precipitation, mountain snow, and isolated T-storms to NorCal," the NWS office in Sacramento posted on X, formerly Twitter. "Here's a look at the forecast precipitation and mountain snow totals."
NWS meteorologist Katrina Hand told Newsweek that the biggest concern meteorologists had was people traveling up into the mountains.
"It's late in the [winter] season, so people aren't checking forecasts and may not be aware of the snow," she said, adding that the storm could cause slick roads and travel delays.
The storm will arrive in western California on Friday night and then move inland. The heaviest precipitation is expected to hit on Saturday.
NWS Sacramento warned that travel could become hazardous, and motorists may need to use chain controls. The most rain is expected in Blue Canyon with 3 inches. Up to 2 inches of rain is expected in Sims. Widespread amounts ranging from .25 inches to over an inch are expected throughout the region.
The snowpack started to melt in April, supplementing the state's reservoirs, and the incoming storm could provide one more boost to the state's water supply before the dry season takes hold. California receives 30 percent of its water from snowpack melt.
However, some of the water could be released from reservoirs in the area considering several are already near capacity, including Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville.
"Light precipitation is forecast this weekend with dry weather following. DWR may increase releases starting Friday to account for elevated inflows into the reservoir," a DWR spokesperson told Newsweek.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more
