Rain, snow and wind return to Northern California. Here’s when to expect showers
Parts of Northern California and the Central Valley haven’t seen sunshine in more than three weeks, according to the National Weather Service — and the gloomy day streak isn’t over yet.
According to the National Weather Service, rain is in the forecast across much of Northern California and the Central Valley as a new round of storm systems moves in.
A series of low-pressure systems is expected to bring heavy rain, mountain snow and strong winds to the Pacific Northwest over the next several days, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said in a Tuesday, Dec. 16, news release.
“System No. 1 will arrive over the Pacific Northwest tonight and will produce heavy rainfall from the northern California coast up to western Washington throughout the course of the day on Wednesday,” the weather agency said in the release.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm systems could bring rain to Northern California and parts of the Central Valley — including Sacramento, Modesto, Merced and Fresno.
Here’s when to expect rain:
When will storms reach Northern California?
According to the National Weather Service, the “active weather” is set to return to Northern California, starting Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Mostly light rain showers are expected to move through parts of the region, the weather agency said in a post on X.
Isolated thunderstorms could develop on Wednesday, bringing the potential for brief downpours.
Drivers should be prepared for “slick travel conditions” and “longer-than-normal commutes,” the National Weather Service said in a post on X.
What’s in the weather forecast for Sacramento?
Rain is expected to return to Sacramento beginning Tuesday night, according to the latest National Weather service forecast.
There was a 70% chance of showers after 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, with a high temperature near 53 degrees and a low temperature around 50 degrees.
Rainfall was expected to be light, with less than a 10th of an inch of precipitation possible, the National Weather Service said.
The weather service also predicted winds ranging from 3 to 8 mph.
Showers are likely to continue into Wednesday, when there’s a 60% chance of precipitation.
Temperatures are expected to reach a high near 61, while the low will dip to around 48. Winds will remain light at 7 to 9 mph.
By Thursday, skies are expected to stay mostly cloudy, with highs near 57 and lows around 50.
There will be a 50% chance of rain on Friday, with a high near 56. The low will be around 55.
Rain is expected to linger through the weekend.
Will it snow near Lake Tahoe?
According to the National Weather Service, snow levels in Northern California are expected to remain above 8,000 feet.
The latest forecasts show snowfall returning to South Lake Tahoe beginning Wednesday, Dec. 17, with wintry conditions expected to continue through Monday, Dec. 22.
When will Modesto see rain?
The latest seven-day weather forecast for Modesto shows rain starting Tuesday, Dec. 16.
There was a 30% chance of showers Tuesday, with a high near 52 and a low around 50.
Rain chances increase slightly on Wednesday, with a 40% chance of showers before 10 a.m. Temperatures are expected to warm slightly to a high near 63, with a low of 49.
Skies are expected to remain mostly cloudy but dry on Thursday.
However, rain is likely to return on Friday and last through Christmas Day.
When will it rain in Merced? Fresno?
There was only a slight chance of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday in Merced, the National Weather Service said.
However, weather service forecasts indicate rain will return to Fresno and Merced on Friday.
Wet weather conditions could persist through Christmas Day, according to the weather agency.
This story was originally published December 16, 2025 at 12:14 PM with the headline "Rain, snow and wind return to Northern California. Here’s when to expect showers."
