Sat Jan 03 02:00:00 UTC 2026: ## Northern California Braces for Weekend of Rain, Snow, and Potential Severe Storms

Sacramento, CA – Northern California residents should prepare for a wet and potentially dangerous weekend, with rain and snow expected to return after a brief break on Friday. The KCRA 3 weather team has issued an Alert Day for Saturday and an Impact Day for Sunday due to the anticipated weather conditions.

Rain is expected to return Friday evening, accompanied by gusty south winds. Saturday will bring hit-and-miss showers, some of which could be intense and lead to isolated severe storms. The Central Valley and lower Foothills are under a marginal storm risk, with the potential for heavy downpours, lightning, and small hail. Forecasters warn that some storms could even produce isolated funnel clouds or brief tornadoes.

The Midtown Farmers Market in Sacramento has already canceled its Saturday event due to the anticipated wind conditions. “The anticipated wind conditions meet and exceed our established safety threshold,” organizers stated, emphasizing the decision was made for the safety of vendors, staff, and the public.

Rain is expected to continue on and off through Sunday, with isolated thunderstorms possible throughout the period. Saturday is anticipated to see the stronger storms.

The Sierra Nevada will see significant snowfall, with snow levels dropping to 7,000 feet by early Saturday. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning from 10 p.m. Friday through 4 p.m. Monday, warning of near-whiteout conditions and major travel delays. Mountain travel is strongly discouraged during this time. Elevations above 6,000 feet could see two to four feet of snow, with the Carson and Sonora passes potentially receiving up to five feet. Chain controls are likely to be implemented on Sierra highways, requiring vehicles without four-wheel drive and snow tires to install chains.

Wind gusts across the Sacramento Valley could range from 30-40 mph on Saturday.

Residents are urged to stay informed by monitoring weather updates on KCRA 3, downloading the KCRA 3 app, and following the KCRA weather team on social media. Real-time traffic updates and interactive radar are available on the KCRA website.

Read More