After a winter with weeks of mostly dry and mild, sunny conditions, wet, winter weather finally returned to Northern California this week, with significant snowfall in the mountains at higher elevations.
Meteorologists say a shift in the jet stream is opening the way for a more active weather pattern, bringing rain to lower elevations and much-needed snow to the mountains. The change comes after a prolonged stretch of high pressure kept storms focused farther north, leaving much of California warmer and drier than normal to start the year.
Cities across the region, including Redding and San Francisco, have been running several degrees above average with rainfall totals lagging well behind typical winter levels. That trend is expected to reverse as colder air and Pacific storms move inland through mid-February.
The biggest impact will be felt in the Sierra Nevada, where a significant amount of accumulating snow fell beginning on Tuesday night. Travelers heading over Donner Pass and others encountered slick roads and reduced visibility.
Forecasters also warned of gusty winds that could create difficult travel for high-profile vehicles and contribute to blowing snow in exposed areas.
While conditions may briefly calm later in the week, additional storm systems are lining up by the weekend and into late February. With snowpack and reservoirs still running below average, even modest storms are a welcome boost.
Thanks to Zach O’Brien for reporting, Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Active NorCal.
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