Christmas week storms bring over 4 feet of snow to Sierra, 3 inches of rain to Sacramento
So far this week, the Sacramento Valley and lower foothills have picked up about 1.5 to 5 inches of rain, while the Sierra has seen about 4 to 8 feet of snow.
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Our Chief Meteorologist Nic Merianos is certified through the American Meteorological Society.
Nic joins our team from Tampa, Florida, where he proudly delivered the weather to viewers for three years as a meteorologist. While in Tampa, Merianos was recognized for his severe weather coverage, earning four regional awards during that time. Prior to that, Nic spent time forecasting the weather from Denver, Colorado and across the Northeast, where he was born and raised.
Weather has always been a passion for him ever since he was a little kid, sparked by severe weather and powerful winter storms. Merianos later earned his degree in Atmospheric Science from Northern Vermont University.
Nic joins us with a unique background that goes beyond the weather. He spent six years as a trained firefighter in the Northeast and holds both firefighting and wildland fire certifications. This experience places Merianos in a unique perspective for us to speak intelligently on the science behind our wildfires.
Nic also holds a pilot license for single-engine aircraft. When he is not at work, he enjoys flying around the area, soaking in all the views that our beautiful area has to offer.
He also enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking.
You can catch his First Alert forecasts on CBS Sacramento and on the CW weeknights, during our 4, 5, 6, 10 & 11 pm newscasts.
So far this week, the Sacramento Valley and lower foothills have picked up about 1.5 to 5 inches of rain, while the Sierra has seen about 4 to 8 feet of snow.
An early-season storm has brought the first significant snow of the season to much of the Sierra and soaking rains to the Northern California foothills and Sacramento Valley.
A flood watch was issued until 10 p.m. Sunday for Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano and Stanislaus counties.
Widespread rain and possible thunderstorms for the valley and some snow in the Sierra are on the way after a warm week in Northern California.
A cool, stormy weather pattern is set to return to Northern California after days of warm, sunny weather. The new pattern will bring rain, breezy south winds, isolated thunderstorms and heavy snow to the Sierra.
A severe winter storm has begun bringing copious amounts of snow to California's Sierra Nevada this week. Extremely dangerous mountain travel is expected, with long stretches of roadway becoming impassible with blizzard conditions.
The overall impacts of the storms are likely to be minor compared to earlier storms this week. Impacts for the valley and foothills will be minor to moderate with major impacts in the Sierra.
On Tuesday, the weather will be dry around 8 a.m. or so. But then by the mid-morning to the lunch hour, the rain will come into the valley from the west.
After more than six months of virtually no rain to speak of, the Sacramento region will finally get some measurable rainfall this weekend.
Longtime records will be challenged in the Sacramento Valley, including the record high for downtown Sacramento, which stands at 114 degrees, set back in 1925.