REDDING, California – Northern California’s string of dry, comfortable fall days will come to an end as colder air and Pacific moisture combine to bring rain, mountain snow, and a sharp cooldown between November 9 and 15. Forecasters say the shift could mark the region’s first widespread early winter system, affecting both the valleys and Sierra passes.
According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, northern California will trend below normal in temperature and above normal in precipitation through mid-November — signaling an active, moisture-rich setup. The Coastal Range, Mt. Shasta region, and Sierra Nevada are expected to see several rounds of snow, while lower elevations from Redding to Chico will get periods of cold rain.
The National Weather Service offices in Sacramento and Eureka report that a strong cold front will arrive early next week, dropping snow levels to near 3,000–4,000 feet by midweek. Accumulating snow is likely along I-5 north of Redding, Highway 89, and Siskiyou Summit, where gusty winds and low visibility could make travel difficult. Rainfall totals across the Sacramento Valley could reach an inch or more before colder air filters in.
Residents are urged to winterize now — clean gutters, check heating systems, and prepare vehicles for slick roads. Caltrans is advising drivers heading into higher elevations to carry tire chains and monitor road conditions.
With Thanksgiving approaching, meteorologists say this mid-November pattern marks the start of a colder, wetter phase for northern California — a sign that early winter has arrived across the mountains and valleys alike.
