California storm to unleash rain, mountain snow and cooler air at midweek

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

February 17,2016; 10:31PM,EST

 

 

Following a warm, dry first half of February in California, a shift in the weather pattern will bring the return of rain, mountain snow and cooler conditions into Thursday.
A storm will roll in from the Pacific Ocean, spreading precipitation much farther south than most storms have done during February.
According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, "While this will not be the long-feared or much-anticipated blockbuster storm for California, it will bring drenching rain and heavy mountain snow to central and northern areas with some rain reaching into Southern California."

Rain will begin across northern and central California during Wednesday afternoon.
Those heading to work and school Wednesday morning will want to dig out an umbrella from the closet as rain will begin by Wednesday evening's commute.
Rain is expected to intensify across central California. Localized flooding and mudslides are possible, especially across areas affected by wildfires in 2015.
Intermittent rain will fall on Southern California Wednesday night.
This will be the first time this month that Los Angeles will receive any rainfall. It has been nearly two weeks since the last rain in central and northern California.
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Roadways could be slick at the onset of rain as oil from motor vehicles can create a slippery glaze.
Cooler air associated with the storm will allow snow levels to drop across the Sierra Nevada and northern California mountains.
According to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun, "Heavy snow will fall across the Sierra Nevada with a foot or more of snow possible."
He added that travel would be dangerous through Donner Pass by Wednesday evening and will continue into Thursday.
The storm could also bring strong winds across the Intermountain West.

Once the storm exits the area Thursday, cooler and drier weather will return to Southern California into the weekend. A second dose of rain and mountain snow will brush northern California as another storm rolls ashore later on Friday.
Prior to the impending storm at midweek, the storm track has focused on the Pacific Northwest, allowing California to bask under sunshine and warmth.
Southern California has experienced the highest temperatures during the warm pattern in the West. San Diego and Los Angeles have both reached high temperatures of 5-20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal for most of the month. High temperatures are typically in the middle 60s during February.