Rain, Wind And Snow: Atmospheric River To Pass Through Northern California Starting Sunday – KCRA Sacramento

While the next few days will be dry, this early next week will bring a healthy helping of much-needed snow and rain across parts of Northern California due to an atmospheric river heading toward the area.The region has not seen significant rainfall and snow since the October storm, where flooding across the region was reported, and the city of Sacramento broke a record for most rainfall in a single day. While this coming weather system won’t quite be like that, news of more rain and snow is welcome amid an ongoing severe drought.Watch above | What is an atmospheric river? KCRA 3’s newest meteorologist Heather Waldman explains how it plays into the coming weather system.Meteorologist Heather Waldman says that atmospheric rivers are responsible for about 50-80% of annual rainfall in the Sacramento area. Two ingredients are needed to get a good atmospheric river going: tropical moisture in the lower latitudes and strong winds high up in the atmosphere to direct that moisture.Here’s what to expect with the coming system and when in Northern California.RainA moderate amount of rain is expected Sunday and will pick up Monday before it weakens Tuesday. About 1 to 3 inches of rain could fall in the Sacramento Valley while 3 to 6 inches of rain could happen in the Foothills.This amount of rainfall should not impact streams and creeks in Sacramento County as much as it did in October.SnowResidents living near a 5,500-foot elevation can expect to start seeing snow on Sunday. Snow will continue into Monday and will likely come down at a rate of 2 inches an hour.On Tuesday, snow levels will drop to lower elevations, anywhere between 2,500 to 3,000 feet. Details on exact timing and how much snow the lower spots will see are unknown at this time.Chain controls are likely, and there may even be road closures for state routes 88 and 89.WindLate Sunday night into Monday morning will be gusty, with possible sustained winds between 30 to 35 mph, maybe even up to 45 mph.It is not yet clear if this wind is capable of causing power-related issues.| MORE LIKE THIS| Watch Chief Meteorologist Mark Finan talk about the coming weather system.View our interactive radar below.(App users, click here).Download our app for the latest.Here is where you can download our app for the latest weather alerts.Follow our KCRA weather team on social media.Chief Meteorologist Mark Finan on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Melanie Hunter on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Eileen Javora on FacebookMeteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist Heather Waldman on TwitterWatch our forecasts on TV or online.Here’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here.We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.Track our interactive traffic map below.(App users, click here.)