The next round of weather moved in Sunday evening and is expected to continue throughout the week.
Our next storm system will be slower and stronger than the last, with the potential for heavy rain, gusty winds, and severe thunderstorms.
First alert day is Monday
Snow will increase across the Sierra by Monday. Traveling through the Sierra will be difficult or impossible, as heavy snow and gusty winds will create blizzard conditions. Travel is extremely frustrating. A winter storm warning has been issued.
While heavy snow is accumulating throughout the Sierra, rain will be heavy across the region to start the trek Monday morning.
After several days of rain, flooding will be a concern, especially on Monday.
We will have a break in the late morning, but this break will bring more instability into the atmosphere increasing the potential for strong to severe storms in the afternoon.
These storms will be capable of strong, damaging wind gusts in excess of 40 mph, small hail, and short tornadoes.
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center predicted a 5% chance of isolated tornadoes across parts of the Sacramento Valley and Central Valley, including Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Yuba City, Roseville and Elk Grove, which puts us in the minor category, which is the second level of five.
The last time the Storm Prediction Center predicted the risk of severe weather like this in the Sacramento Valley was in February 2015.
While forecasts do not guarantee that hurricanes will develop, the necessary ingredients will be there. Make sure to keep an eye on the sky and stay aware of the weather throughout the day.
Rain and snow over the next few days
Scattered rain, storms and snow will continue across the Sierra through Monday night into Tuesday. We'll hold onto rain chances until early Wednesday, but the bulk of the storm will have passed.
If we add up the amounts of rain and snow over the next seven days, here's what we can expect.
Rainfall estimates indicate a general rainfall of 2-3 inches in the valley. Amounts are trending higher across the northern Sacramento Valley and Bay Area, with up to 4 inches of rain possible through next Wednesday.
Hardest-hit areas in the foothills could receive 4 to 7 inches of rain by Wednesday.
Across the Sierra, we expect 2 to 4 feet of snow over the next few days. Snow levels will remain mainly around 5,000 feet as storms will be warmer. Heavy snow will be above 6,000 feet.
Drier conditions return as we head into Thursday and Friday next week. Highs over the next few days will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s as we approach the end of February.
Through this stretch of active weather, be sure to stay with CBS Sacramento's First Weather Alert team for any forecast updates.
