Hard Freeze Warning In Effect As Temperatures Severely Drop
A Hard Freeze Warning goes into effect Wednesday night as temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing.
Low temperatures bottomed out in the mid 30s early Wednesday morning across the valley, with readings dipping into the 20s in the foothills. Despite plenty of sunshine Wednesday, highs will struggle to pass 50 degrees, with breezy north winds between 10 and 20 mph.
The Hard Freeze Warning is in effect through Friday morning for even colder overnight lows in the 20s area-wide.
Clear, sunny and cool weather will continue Thursday with high temperatures in the upper 40s.
Things start to get really interesting on Friday, as another storm slides into Northern California.
Expect to see valley rain showers Friday with snow levels incredibly low due to the cold air in place. Between 3 to 6 inches of snow accumulations are possible in the foothills at around 1,000 feet in elevation for communities like Auburn, Cameron Park and Jackson.
The higher Sierra will possibly see 1 to 2 feet of snow. According to the National Weather Service office in Sacramento, the last time the capital city saw snow was four years ago on Dec. 7, when a few, wet flakes fell. There is also a chance Sacramento could see a few snowflakes mixed in with the rain with this system as well.
The wet weather will wrap up on Saturday with winter travel conditions throughout the foothills and Sierra.
Skies will be clearing for the California International Marathon Sunday morning, but the thousands of runners, spectators and volunteers between Folsom and Sacramento will have to deal with morning temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s.
Sunday afternoon will be sunny and cold with highs in the upper 40s.
