Good evening everybody. The atmospheric river event expected by the National Weather Service looks to be right on track as far as both timing and strength with forecasters saying we will begin to feel the effects of the intense storm by early morning.
Moisture spread across the region this morning bringing a wintry mix to most areas with snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain being reported. Snow levels will continue to rise this evening into Sunday as the deeper moisture and warmer air arrives.
Snow levels are forecast to peak by early Sunday morning, then remain steady through Sunday night. This will coincide with the most intense precipitation.
Here in northeastern California forecasters expect looking at snow levels near 8,000 feet.
Liquid totals along the Sierra Crest through the foothills west of US-395 could easily reach 6 to 12 inches over the course of the event. Along US-395, rain totals could reach 3 inches with up to 2 inches possible for areas to the east. Snow totals above the snow line could easily reach 3 to 8 feet with the character of the snow being very heavy and wet.
As far as winds, they will be strong and gusty across ridge lines in the 100 to 140 mph range. Lower down, winds are not anticipated to be as strong with gusts mainly in the 20 to 35 mph range at most. However, a few periodic stronger gusts are possible, especially tonight into Sunday.
A second system is right on the heels of this first storm, with snow likely to continue in the Sierra and northeast California through the middle of the week when yet another storm arrives.
For more information you can always find current conditions at LassenWeatherNetwork.com.
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