Northern California Braces For Rain And Snow

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- A winter-like storm is expected to bring high winds and heavy rain to much of Northern California, while travelers heading over the Sierra will have to contend with up to a foot of fresh snow.

Johnnie Powell, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Sacramento, said the region around the state capital could see up to an inch of rain beginning Tuesday night through Wednesday morning.

Winds up to 30 mph are expected throughout the San Francisco Bay area and Central Valley, with gusts topping 50 mph at the Sierra crest. Six inches of snow is expected as low as the 5,000 foot level with 12 inches possible above 7,000 feet.

Light showers were falling Tuesday in Southern California, where forecasters expect periods of steady rain Wednesday morning.

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