Sacramento, California – Rain showers and isolated thunderstorms could slow travel across the northern Sacramento Valley and surrounding foothills on Saturday, with longer-than-normal commutes expected in some areas.
According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, moisture moving through the region on May 17 will bring scattered rainfall to higher terrain and the valley floor, with snow levels remaining between 7,000 and 8,000 feet. Isolated thunderstorms are possible over the Sierra Nevada and northern mountain zones.
Drivers in Butte, Shasta, Tehama, and Placer counties should expect wet roads and occasional downpours during the day. The I-5 and Highway 70 corridors could see travel delays, particularly in elevated sections. While rainfall totals are mostly light — under a quarter inch in most areas — localized pockets may experience heavier bursts during thunderstorms.
Residents in higher elevations should stay alert for lightning and brief wind gusts, particularly during the afternoon hours. Travelers heading into the Sierra should check road conditions and plan for potential weather-related slowdowns.
Rain chances taper off Saturday night, but updates from NWS Sacramento remain possible as conditions evolve.
