Rain, whipping winds and heavy snow are set to slam California this weekend — marking the Golden State’s coldest storm of the season, forecasters warned.
The frigid and potentially dangerous conditions will impact the Sacramento Valley starting late Sunday, creating travel nightmares for those heading to the mountains over the long Presidents Day weekend, the National Weather Service said.
Snow falls at the Mammoth Mountain Ski resort in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., in December. AP
Up to a foot of snow could drop on areas with elevations between 3,000 to 4,000 feet.
“Expect hazardous mountain travel late Sunday thru at least Wednesday,” the weather service said.
Heavy winds could bring gusts up to 45 mph from Redding down to Fairfield Monday through Wednesday, with possible power outages as a result.
Rain will also drench the state from Sacramento to San Luis Obispo starting late Sunday, with coastal and valley regions seeing anywhere between 1 to 3 inches by Monday.
A high surf advisory was issued along the Central Coast through Saturday morning, with waves of 9 to 13 feet and dangerous rip currents.
Southern California is also expected to see thunderstorms and treacherous surf starting Sunday night, with another storm system arriving Tuesday night that is expected to bring even cooler temperatures.
Water floods the streets ponchos as they walk up Colorado Blvd in the rain before the start of the 137th Rose Parade on New Years Day in Pasadena, California, on January 1 AFP via Getty Images
Adding to the chaotic conditions, a portion of Central California is currently under a dense fog advisory, with visibility potentially dropping to zero.
Fog in the Central Valley has long posed a danger to drivers, causing a 59-car pileup near Fresno in late January.