Snow in June? Chance of rain in northern Sacramento Valley with light snow in Sierra
Northern California will have a little bit of everything Sunday, at least when it comes to the weather.
Rain is expected over the northern Sacramento Valley, mainly north of Redding, on Sunday with light snowfall possible north and east of the valley at higher elevations.
The National Weather Service predicts snow levels will reach 5,000 feet with less than an inch of fresh powder at pass levels and up to three inches near Lassen National Park. Weather service officials are warning motorists that Interstate 80 and roadways north of Tahoe could be slippery and campers could face adverse conditions with overnight temperatures dropping into the 20s.
The weather service said Truckee could see snow showers before 2 p.m. with a chance of rain and more snowfall later in the day. Projections are similar at Lake Tahoe, where wind gusts as high as 30 mph are expected. Around 8 a.m., snow was already spotted in the higher Sierra, according to the Alert Wildfire camera network.
Some light snow is visible in the higher Sierra in this webcam view, courtesy ALERT Wildfire. #cawx pic.twitter.com/TA5twf5hQ0
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) June 7, 2020
Isolated thunderstorms are in the forecast this afternoon through early evening, mainly over the mountains north of I-80. Gusty winds, small hail, and lightning are possible with these storms. When thunder roars, go indoors! #cawx pic.twitter.com/NMq0jASVKg
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) June 7, 2020
Redding could see a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon, and a 20 percent chance of precipitation.
It will be calm but breezy in Sacramento, with sunny skies with a high of 74 degrees Sunday and clear conditions and an overnight low of 54 degrees. Gusts of 15 to 30 mph are possible throughout the day, forecasters warned.
Monday will see the pattern change again with warmer and drier weather returning to the region. Temperatures are expected to rise to 84 degrees Monday, 92 degrees on Tuesday and 96 degrees on Wednesday before another cooling trend arrives later in the week.
Locally breezy northwesterly winds are expected across portions of interior NorCal today. Gusts up to 15-30 mph are possible. Secure loose items! #cawx pic.twitter.com/gMvwrr2mdK
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) June 7, 2020
We continue to ride the roller coaster temperature. We get one more day of cooler weather today, before Valley high temperatures start their upward trend. #cawx pic.twitter.com/6bSnhG9RTi
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) June 7, 2020
The weather service also issued a red flag warning for the southern Sacramento Valley from 11 p.m. Sunday through 8 p.m. Monday, which could affect conditions at the Quail Fire in Solano County.
Forecasters are concerned by unstable conditions and an upper trough passing to the east that could push winds to 20 mph and higher and keep daytime humidity levels low — between 10 and 13 percent. This would be accompanied by “moderate to locally poor overnight recoveries,” forecasters said. During the night, firefighters rely on calmer conditions and cooler temperatures to rapidly advance on fires.
