Latest updates from the National Weather Service:
The second of two Pacific storms pushed across Northern California Sunday, bringing heavy rain to the Sacramento region and snow in the Sierra.
The National Weather Service in Sacramento predicted severe thunderstorms for the Central Valley, "especially from about the Yuba City area southward, from around mid-afternoon until sunset" Sunday.
The NWS also issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 4 p.m. Sunday to 4 p.m. Monday for snow above 6,500 feet. The forecast predicted 7 inches of snow above 6,500 feet with 8 to 12 inches above 7,500 feet.
"Local accumulations up to 14 inches possible over the higher peaks," according to the NWS. "Locations include Lassen National Park, Donner Pass, Echo Summit and Carson Pass."
When the initial forecast for the potent Pacific storms was issued last week, the system was expected to bring snow to higher elevations at 8,500 feet or above. But cooler, rather than warmer temperatures, have brought more snow at lower elevations too.
The snowfall amounts, along with the rain, could provide a needed boost to California's water supply, which has been hit hard by the drought. The storms have brought the most precipitation to the state since December 2014. Many Central and Northern California cities recorded their driest January's last month, including San Francisco, Sacramento and Stockton.
After more than three years of drought, the weekend storms have brought snow to Lake Tahoe ski resorts and helped the Sierra Nevada snowpack, which the California Department of Water Resources called "dismally meager" after a snow measurement at the end of January.
Traffic moves cautiously on U.S. Hwy 50 Sunday afternoon. (Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)
Rain began falling in the morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015. (Al Gibes / Capital Public Radio)
National Weather Service Radar at 9:40 a.m.
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