Spring storm bringing rain to Northern California, snow to Sierra

By Tim Fang

A spring storm is bringing rain along with potential thunderstorms in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California beginning Monday, along with snow in the Sierra Nevada.

Showers began in the North Bay Monday morning, spreading across the Bay Area and Monterey Bay throughout the day. In the Sacramento area, showers were expected to begin on Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

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“This storm will bring widespread rain, mountain snow, thunderstorms, breezy south to southwest winds, and cooler temperatures to interior northern California. Rain and snow will be moderate to heavy at times, especially on Tuesday which is looking like the brunt of the storm,” said a forecast discussion from the agency’s Sacramento office.

A winter storm warning was issued for the Sierra Nevada, for areas above 5,000 feet in Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lassen, Placer, and Sierra counties; while the warning was for areas above 3,000 feet in Plumas and Tehama counties. The warning was in effect from 2 a.m. Tuesday to 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Travel delays and chain controls are possible during the watch, forecasters said.

Along with rain and snow, isolated thunderstorms and lightning are possible across the Bay Area and Central Coast on Tuesday, along with the possibility of small hail, according to the weather service. In the Central Valley, forecasters said thunderstorms, hail, gusty winds and potential funnel clouds / isolated weak tornadoes are possible.

The wet weather was expected to taper off later this week.