Weather updates: Rain and high winds hit Northern California but storm is ‘still picking up’

Another round of winter storms hitting California as an atmospheric river makes landfall on the West Coast, according to the National Weather Service.

Here’s what is in store for the Sacramento and Lake Tahoe regions:

Flood watch issued for much of Northern California

“Excessive rainfall” could cause flooding from Wednesday morning through late Thursday night across Northern California.

The weather service issued a “watch,” which is a step down from a warning and urges residents to be prepared for potential floods.

Areas under flood watch

The watch includes the Motherlode, southwestern Shasta County, western Colusa County, northeast foothills and the Sacramento Valley, according to the weather service.

A separate watch was issued for the Bay Area and parts of the Central Coast.

How to prepare for potential flooding

• Clean out your gutters

• Use sandbags if your home is prone to flooding

• Have an evacuation plan just in case

• Stay updated with the latest weather forecast, watches and warnings

• Get an emergency kit ready. It should include important documents, batteries, flashlights, battery-powered radio, extra medication, food and water, pet supplies

Where Sacramento County could flood

Source: FEMA. Map: NATHANIEL LEVINE

What is ARkStorm? No, a megaflood is not going to sink California this week

Are power outages possible in Sacramento?

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Pacific Gas and Electric, which both serve capital-region residents, are preparing for potential power outages and monitoring the storm as it moves in.

“We do anticipate there will be some outages, but that doesn’t mean all customers will experience an outage,” PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno said midday Wednesday. “The vast majority of customers will have power.”

How long will rain in Sacramento last?

The forecast from the weather service shows rain in Sacramento at least through Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Heavy rain is expected Wednesday night into Thursday, with chances of showers into the weekend.

Downtown Sacramento has measured just 3.16 inches of rain so far this year (compared to the normal of 3.87 for January). By the end of the first month of 2023, the capital city recorded a staggering 7.54 inches.

A second storm system is expected to move in over the weekend into early next week.

Winter storm warning issued for Tahoe

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning in effect from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Friday.

The amount of snow in the forecast fluctuates as the storm develops, but as of Tuesday night meteorologists predict more than 2 feet and up to 4 at higher elevations.

The weather service issued a winter storm warning for the greater Lake Tahoe region that will stretch from Wednesday morning through early Friday.

A “potent” winter storm will bring heavy snow, the warning states, with the possibility of 2 or more inches of snow per hour at times.

Travel to Tahoe region

Meteorologists warn that travel will be “very difficult to impossible” and strongly discourage driving to the Sierra.

Another storm this weekend

Sunday and Monday will bring another chance “at significant snowfall,” according to the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab, located at Donner Pass.

Sierra Nevada snowpack is ‘far below normal’

On Tuesday, the California Department of Water Resources measured the Sierra snowpack at the Phillips Station, near Lake Tahoe, at just 58% of the average to date. The department measured 29 inches of snow depth, or a snow-water equivalent of 10 inches.

It’s a “modest increase” from early January, but statewide the snowpack sits just above 50% of average, according to a news release. At this time last year — which ended up a record-setter — the state was at 214% of average.

‘Snow drought’ possible as California sees levels ‘far below normal’ in Tahoe region

High winds expected

The weather service in Sacramento also issued a wind advisory for the Sacramento Valley, Delta region, northern San Joaquin Valley and foothills with gusts expected up to 55 mph from Wednesday to Thursday morning.

As of noon Wednesday, gusts at Sacramento’s McClellan Air Force Base had hit 21 mph but “things are definitely still picking up,” Sarah Purdue, a meteorologist with the weather service said.

Gusts in the Tahoe region could reach 100 mph along ridges. Otherwise, roughly 45 mph is expected.

“Strong winds may blow down some tree limbs and a few power outages may result,” the winter storm warning states.

Where can I get sandbags?

Here are areas in Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and El Doroado counties where residents can pick up sandbags.

Unincorporated Sacramento County

Residents of inincorporated cities in Sacramento County can pick up sandbags at the following locations, according to the Sacramento County Department of Water:

• 3847 Branch Center Road in Sacramento

• 6826 Hazel Ave. in Orangevale

• 7320 Florin Mall Drive in Sacramento

• 7995 Elwyn Ave. in Elverta

Placer County

Placer has a number of locations where people can grab sandbags, according to the county’s website:

Below is a list of ready-to-go sandbags throughout the county:

• 2145 Grass Valley Highway in Auburn

• 11755 Willow Creek Drive in Auburn

• 324 N. Sunrise Ave. in Roseville

El Dorado and Amador counties

The California Department of Forests and Fire Protection posted about sandbag locations throughout El Dorado and Amador via X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday afternoon. Here are three of those locations; for the full list visit the link.

• 1050 Wilson Blvd. in El Dorado Hills

• 3200 Country Club Drive in Cameron Park

• 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe

Yolo County

Yolo County residents can get sandbags at 2895 Industrial Blvd. in West Sacramento.

The Bee’s Jacqueline Pinedo, Brianna Taylor, Hanh Truong and Angela Rodriguez contributed to this story.

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