It promises to bring snow to Sierra Nevada mountain peaks up to 10 feet (3 m) and much-needed rain to the region.
According to forecasters, rain was possible in the Bay Area. Snowfall in the Sierras began Sunday and then increased between Monday- Tuesday. A dusting of snow could be seen on the Bay Area's mountain tops.
"If you are in the Sierra, today's the last day to prepare for a multiday winter storm that will likely to be remembered for many years to come," warned the National Weather Service in Saturday's forecast.
Scott McGuire, a meteorologist at the Reno office of the weather service, stated that another storm system, expected to strike California midweek, could bring almost continuous snow. This is according to Scott McGuire. The Reno office monitors an area bordering Nevada's state line. Drivers could be at risk from fallen trees and whiteout conditions. Meanwhile, the Sierra Avalanche Center warned that heavy snowfall and strong winds could lead to large and destructive avalanches.
"If you're traveling through the Sierra, get ahead of the snowfall before it starts or wait until it ends to climb up. He said that it would become more treacherous.
A low-pressure system from Pacific Northwest was expected to strike the coast north of San Francisco Saturday night, dropping light rain.
A winter storm warning was issued in the Pacific Northwest. It included the area where Saturday's avalanche resulted in the death of a 60-year old man. Five others were temporarily buried.
According to Sarah McCorkle, a meteorologist at the Weather Service's Bay Area office, the storm will bring the most heavy rainfall to San Francisco on Sunday night and Monday morning.
The north could see rainfall amounts of 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) and the highest in Santa Cruz and Santa Lucia mountains, where winds can exceed 50 miles an hour (80 km per hour), respectively. According to the forecast, minor flooding and rockslides could result from rain, especially in areas that have experienced recent wildfires.
Pacific Gas & Electric warned that the storm could cause power outages throughout the Bay Area. In a press release, the utility stated that workers are clearing vegetation away power lines in order to minimize the possibility of outages.
McCorkle stated that the amount of rain expected for this time of the year is normal, despite it being unusually dry in recent years. According to the U.S. Drought Monitoring, the storm will help alleviate dry conditions but not end the drought.
Many parts of the West have been engulfed by the megadrought caused by climate change. California is heading into the wettest season of the year. 80% of the state has been classified in extreme or extraordinary drought.
