Cascade Snow To Be Measured In Feet

The exceptionally wet pattern that has brought devastating floods to parts of California will bring more rain and snow to the West coast this weekend and early next week, but these systems will not bring nearly as much rain as most of the systems in February did. 

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(MORE: Late-February Storms Brought Flooding, Landslides to California)

In fact, very little rainfall is currently anticipated in areas of northern California that have been hard hit by recent storms.

A cold, upper-level area of low pressure is expected to slide southward along the California coast, spreading light to moderate rain and snow as it moves generally parallel to the West Coast into early Sunday.

Then, a second similar system will dive southward along the West Coast Sunday into Monday. This second system may tap into a plume of subtropical moisture, which would bring a bit more rainfall to parts of Southern California and the Southwest.

The good news is that both systems won't be as strong or have as much moisture as some recent storms. It will also be colder, which will allow snow instead of rain to fall in some lower elevations that picked up rain recently.

(MORE: Northern California Communities Brace for More Flooding)

Forecast Details

Sunday

• The chance of rain will stretch from northern California to western Washington as the second system moves in.
• Some showers may linger in Southern California.
• Snow is expected in the Sierra and Cascades above 1,000 feet. Some snowflakes may fall in the valleys of Oregon and Washington, as well.
• FORECAST: Sacramento | Fresno | Portland

Monday

• Rain may linger in Southern California and the Desert Southwest.
• The Sierra will continue to receive snow above 1,000 feet.
• Rain and snow are also likely in the Pacific Northwest.
• Strong and gusty winds are possible from Southern California into the Southwest.
• FORECAST: San Diego | South Lake Tahoe | San Jose

Current expectations are for most areas to receive less than 1 inch of rainfall through Monday. The Sierra, Siskyous and Cascades can expect up to another foot of snow.

Snow will likely fall above 5,000 feet, which could minimize flood risks. Given the saturated soil and swollen creeks and rivers, however, flooding and mudslides will remain a big concern.

(MAPS: Weekly Planner)

The upper-level trough, or southward dip in the jet stream, will move eastward early next week, allowing an upper-level ridge of high pressure to slowly build into the West coast midweek. This will bring a much-needed return for dry weather.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Storms Hit California