A late season storm is moving into Northern California Friday, bringing rain to the valley and snow to the Sierra.
Jim Mathews with the National Weather Service in Sacramento says you'll also notice cooler temperatures in the Sacramento area.
"Well, normally we're around 70 degrees, so we're going to be at least 5 degrees or a little more below normal," says Mathews.
Mathews says half-an-inch of rain, isolated thunderstorms and hail are possible in the Valley. Sierra snow levels are likely to fall to around 5,000 feet. He says up to a foot of snow could fall at higher elevations and it's unusual to have such wintry weather this late in April.
"This will probably be the coldest system that we are looking at, as far as bringing snow levels down to 5,000 feet here for this winter season," says Mathews.
Mathews has a warning for anyone headed over the mountains Friday or Saturday.
"Carry your chains," he says.
RT @D3PIO: Traffic is being turned around on WB I-80 at Donner Lake Interchange and Truckee pic.twitter.com/Ugky9I6LNg http://t.co/1qGLLnxn7N
— CapRadio News (@CapRadioNews) April 25, 2014
Snow on #Sierra pass highways today will bring slippery roads and cause delays. Snow levels down to ~4000 feet #cawx pic.twitter.com/EG0cZF5Lo0
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) April 25, 2014
WB I-80 traffic is being held at the Donner Lake Interchange due to whiteout conditions pic.twitter.com/u9EAFdPPhb
— Caltrans District 3 (@D3PIO) April 25, 2014
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