Prepare to Get Drenched: Rainy Weekend and High-Elevation Snow Forecast for Northern California

Photo by Alex Dukhanov

Just as we were getting used to this perfect spring weather, Mother Nature is coming back for vengeance in the form of a 3-day rainstorm that will drench Northern California from Saturday through Tuesday. It’s a much needed late-spring storm that will give a little replenishment to the snowpack and water storage that’s beginning to show signs of extreme drought.

The National Weather Service is forecasting wide-spread rain for much of NorCal throughout the weekend. Initial models show a storm building over the Pacific Ocean and heading straight for the North State:

The storm is expected to hit the area on Saturday morning/afternoon and will peak Sunday night and Monday morning, with rain, high winds and snow above 6,000 feet.

Travel in high elevation areas will be impacted by the snowfall, in particular Interstate 80 and Highway 50 over the Sierra which could see chain controls due to slippery conditions.

As many NorCal counties have been given the go-ahead for Phase 2 of reopening during the Covid-19 pandemic, people will most likely want to stay inside with the prevalent rain and wind. It’s a stomach-punch to many looking to get out of the house this weekend.

That being said, the reservoirs could really use the boost as California snowpack sits at just 3 percent of average and water levels could begin to dip after a disappointing winter. This could also help the already dim prospects of a difficult fire season in the state.

Here are the forecasts for each area of NorCal:

Stay dry this weekend, NorCal!

Active NorCal

Telling the Stories of Northern California

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