Sacramento, CA – Northern California may see a stretch of cool, wet, and occasionally wintry weather during the Thanksgiving travel window, as new long-range federal forecasts show a near-normal precipitation pattern, giving the region roughly a 50–50 chance of early-season snow in the Sierra Nevada from November 23 through November 29.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook released Saturday, Northern California sits under a developing Pacific trough expected to send multiple waves of moisture inland. While valley temperatures will remain too warm for snow, colder air arriving behind passing systems could drop snow levels across the Sierra and southern Cascades at times.
The Sacramento Valley—including Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, and Stockton—should see cold rain as the primary impact. Highs in the 40s and low 50s will keep snow out of the equation for most urban areas, though breezy, wet conditions may still create slowdowns along I-5 and Highway 99.
The foothills—including Auburn, Placerville, Grass Valley, Quincy, and areas along Highways 49 and 20—sit closer to the freezing line. Temperatures here may allow for a brief rain–snow mix or periods of wet snow, especially during overnight hours when colder air settles into the region.
The Sierra Nevada—including Donner Pass, Echo Summit, and areas along I-80, US-50, and Highway 88—carry the strongest chance for accumulating snow. Even modest storms can produce several inches of powder or wet snow at this time of year, potentially creating hazardous holiday travel conditions on major mountain passes.
Further north, the Mount Shasta region and southern Cascades could also see accumulating snowfall, depending on storm timing and snow level trends.
Thanksgiving week travel is historically heavy across I-80, I-5, and key Sierra routes. Even light snow can quickly create chain controls and delays.
Forecasters expect sharper timing details early next week as short-range models begin tracking individual Pacific systems.
