Rain, heavy mountain snow to stream across California into Saturday

The unsettled pattern that has brought needed rain and mountain snow to California this week will persist into the start of the weekend.

Much of the rainfall so far this week has been beneficial for the drought-stricken state, falling at rates below the threshold for triggering mudslides and debris flows.

Earlier this week, mandatory evacuations were issued for areas in Santa Barbara County near the Thomas, Sherpa and Whittier burn scars, but have since been canceled.

Still, residents should not let their guard down as it only takes one persistent, heavy shower over a burn scar to trigger excessive runoff down the hillside.

The most widespread impact into Saturday will be slower travel on the roadways, including interstates 5 and 80, and at the major hubs of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The tail end of this week’s storms will bring more rain and significant mountain snow across California, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jack Boston.

The latest wave of moisture will drop southward across the state into Saturday, with rainfall generally ranging from 0.25-0.50 of an inch in most locations.

Those planning to head out to downtown Los Angeles on Friday evening will want to have an umbrella handy, as showers are expected to return by this time.

Thunder, lightning and small hail may even accompany the rainfall, especially in the northern half of the state.

Much of the storm’s precipitation will be unleashed in the form of snow across the Sierra Nevada.

Motorists traveling over I-80’s Donner Pass should expect additional travel headaches into Friday night, with chain restrictions likely and closures possible.

An additional 1-3 feet of snow will pile up across the high country of the Sierra into the weekend.

Snow levels may dip as low as pass level in the Southern California mountains on Friday night.

While causing short-term travel concerns, the mountain snow will go a long way in helping to boost the water supply in the coming months.

The state will get a chance to dry out at the end of the weekend, but Boston anticipates the next storm to come knocking on the door by the middle of next week.

“The West is expected to remain quite stormy [next week] with rain and mountain snow, and more opportunities for precipitation into Southern California and the Southwest as well,” Boston said.

The pattern during the third week of March could pack more rainfall and a higher risk of mudslides and flooding than the storms this week.

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