Will California see rain, snow or sun on Christmas? See latest weather forecasts
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Weather forecasts show heavy rain, mountain snow and strong winds for parts of California.
- Some Northern California counties are at risk for flash floods starting Friday, Dec. 19.
- Snow is expected above 8,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada, including Lake Tahoe & Yosemite.
Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?
California could experience a wintry holiday this year — just not the picture-perfect kind Bing Crosby sang about.
According to the National Weather Service and the Old Farmer’s Almanac, clouds, rain and mountain snow are on the way, along with the potential for flood risks in some areas
A series of storm systems are expected to move through the Pacific Northwest, including California, over the next several days, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said in a Thursday, Dec. 18, news release.
“Heavy rain is expected to occur over portions of southwestern Washington through western Oregon and northwestern California, where a slight risk (at least 15% chance) of excessive rainfall leading to flash flooding is in effect,” the weather agency said in the Thursday news release.
Will California see rain, snow or sun on Christmas Day?
Here’s what experts predict:
When will California see rain?
Rainy weather is expected to linger for several days as strong winds push storm systems across California, the National Weather Service said in its Thursday news release.
“Heavy rain is likely over portions of the Pacific Northwest,” the weather agency said.
In Northern California and the Central Valley — including Sacramento, Modesto, Merced and Fresno — forecasters say steady rain could finally break the stretch of stubborn fog that has hung over the region for weeks.
Rain was forecast to begin Thursday, Dec. 18, in Sacramento, with showers arriving Friday in Modesto, Merced and Fresno, according to the latest weather forecasts.
San Luis Obispo County is also expected to see rainfall, starting Sunday, Dec. 21.
Meanwhile, the weather service predicted, rain will continue to pummel southern California, with about 2 to 4 inches of precipitation expected in some areas.
“This heavy rainfall will exacerbate ongoing flooding of rivers, creeks and small streams across the Pacific Northwest,” the National Weather Service said. “Flood warnings are in effect as well.”
Am I at risk for flash floods?
According to the National Weather Service, flash floods can happen for many reasons, but they most often occur during heavy rain from thunderstorms.
The agency said that flash floods can occur “so quickly that people are caught off-guard.”
How fast flooding happens depends on several factors, including where the rain falls, how intense it is, the shape of the land, soil type and how wet the ground already is.
The National Weather Service said the highest flash flood risks are in Northern California, including Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino counties, starting Friday, Dec. 19.
Will it rain on Christmas Day?
The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center shows that the eight- to 14-day outlook leans toward “above normal” rainfall, from Christmas Day — Thursday, Dec. 25 — through New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Recent forecasts indicate that there is a 33% to 50% chance of “above normal” precipitation across all of California.
Temperatures are expected to stay “near normal” in parts of Northern California and the Bay Area, while “above normal” temperatures are more likely in the Central Valley, Sierra Nevada, Southern California and along the Central Coast.
“Normal” is based on the average of all temperatures from 1991 to 2020, the weather agency previously told The Sacramento Bee.
Where will California see a white Christmas?
For most of California, a white Christmas is unlikely, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac forecast.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecast calls for “a windy, rainy holiday” across much of the state rather than snow.
However, higher elevations are expected to see wintry weather, according to the National Weather Service and the Central Sierra Snow Laboratory at UC Berkeley.
“Heavy snow continues for the mountains of the Pacific Northwest,” the National Weather Service said.
According to the National Weather Service, snow levels in Northern California, including the Lake Tahoe region, are expected to remain above 8,000 feet.
The latest forecasts show snowfall returning to South Lake Tahoe beginning Friday, Dec. 19, with snowy conditions expected to continue through Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
Yosemite National Park has seen less snow than usual so far this season, but forecasters with the Central Sierra Snow Laboratory at UC Berkeley say snow is likely at higher elevations from Sunday, Dec. 21, through Christmas Day.
That could bring a better chance of a white Christmas in high-elevation parts of the park, including Badger Pass.
This story was originally published December 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Will California see rain, snow or sun on Christmas? See latest weather forecasts."
