Wed Dec 24 11:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Northern California Braces for Potentially Damaging Storm; Emergency Teams Deployed
Sacramento, CA – Northern California is preparing for a powerful storm system set to unleash waves of high winds, heavy rain, and heavy snow beginning Tuesday night and continuing through Thursday. The KCRA 3 weather team has issued “Alert Days” for Wednesday and Thursday, warning of conditions that could pose a risk to public safety, with Friday designated as an “Impact Day” due to expected travel delays caused by showers and mountain snow.
The storm arrives after some areas in the Foothills and Sierra Nevada have already received 6 to 11 inches of rain since Saturday. A brief respite is expected Tuesday before the storm hits.
Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed emergency response teams and equipment to nine counties – El Dorado, Orange, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Colusa, Glenn, Plumas, and Nevada – in anticipation of potential flooding and severe weather impacts.
The first wave of high winds and heavy rain is expected to move across the region between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 4 a.m. Wednesday. Gusts of 40 to 60 mph could cause tree damage and scattered power outages in the Valley and Foothills, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a High Wind Watch for the Coastal Hills, Valley, and Foothills from 7 p.m. Tuesday through 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Another round of high winds and heavy rain is forecast for Wednesday night into Thursday morning, potentially bringing an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain to the Sacramento Valley by Friday.
As the rain moves east into the Sierra, it will transition to heavy snow. The snow level will be around 6,500 feet on Wednesday, potentially leading to long delays and chain controls in the Tahoe area. The snow level will drop further to 4,500 feet on Thursday and 4,000 feet on Friday.
Several feet of snow are expected to accumulate in the Tahoe area summits by Friday evening. Drivers are strongly advised to avoid mountain travel between Wednesday and Friday if possible.
Residents are urged to stay informed and monitor local weather forecasts for the latest updates and warnings. KCRA 3 is providing continuous coverage on television, online, and through its mobile app. Real-time traffic information is available through the KCRA 3 interactive traffic map.
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