Forecasters: Chance For Snow in Carmichael

Rain will continue to hit the Carmichael area tonight and may even become snow Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Tonight's low temperature will be around 36, NWS forecasters said. Showers will continue Friday, with highs near 40.

There will be chance of rain showers before 10 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers, with the snow level at around 100 feet, forecasters said.  Little or no snow accumulation is expected. A slight chance of rain and snow showers is expected before 10 a.m. Saturday.

The question may be, exactly how low will the snow go? According to local meteorologists there is a 50:50 chance Californians will see snow at sea level; however, most believe it’s a more likely chance snow will fall on anything above 1,000 feet Thursday night.  That means places as low as Cameron Park could be getting a healthy dose of frozen precipitation.

It’s been 35 years since snow has dipped so low as to hit the Bay Area, when a cold front brought snow all of the Bay area on Feb. 5, 1976. However, according to the National Weather Service, the last time Sacramento had snow was on Jan. 28, 2002.

Snowy vistas can be powerful draws for folks unaccustomed to seeing snow this low. That’s where California Highway Patrols find many flatlanders heading for the hills to flex their snowball-throwing muscles and getting their vehicles stuck when they pull off the road to play.

“We highly recommend not getting out of the car when they see snow on the side of the roads,” Liz Dutton, a California Highway Patrol north Sacramento division representative, said. “That can lead to many kinds of problems, ones that can turn fatal.”

Dutton emphasizes for those who have never driven in snow or drive in areas not typically affected by snow to slow down and allow plenty of time to get to destinations. She also recommends people be very aware of their surroundings.

“Make sure to watch for cars doing things they shouldn’t be doing,” Dutton said.

It is also treacherous for those who don’t have a snow day on the agenda.

“We recommend you have a back-up plan if you go over mountains for your commute,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Anderson.

If driving conditions are hazardous, Caltrans will shut down portions of Interstate-80 and Highway 50.

“It’s just going to be a mess Friday morning,” Anderson said. “People will be trying to get over mountains and they won’t be able to get over.”

If you do find yourselves heading to the nearby hills, please be sure to share your photos with Carmichael Patch. Email victor.calderon@patch.com and we’ll be sure to post your snow day fun photos.