There’s a week left in fall but forecasters said Tuesday a winter storm is about to roll into Northern and Central California, carrying widespread rain in some areas and more mountain snow.

The weather system is expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon and continue through Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

Sierra Nevada snow levels will start out at the higher pass levels and drop to as low as 4,500 feet.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Central Sierra Nevada above 5500 feet from 10 PM PST Wednesday night until 4 PM PST Thursday. Snow levels will drop to around 5500 feet, with accumulations of 6-9 inches possible in the higher elevations. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/uFEPcyHod4

— NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) December 15, 2020

Locally, rainfall is expected to be lighter and of shorter duration than the past weekend’s storm.

Most of the Central Valley precipitation will be in the foothills and mountains, with the heaviest snowfall in Yosemite National Park said forecasters with the NWS Hanford Office.

Snow totals in the 6 to 9 inch range are possible in the park, resulting in a Winter Weather Advisory from 10 p.m. Wednesday through 4 p.m. Thursday.

Nearly of an inch of rain is possible in the foothills of Madera and Mariposa counties, the weather service said, but only 1 to 2 tenths are forecast in the Fresno and
Tulare foothills. For the Valley floor, 1 to 2 tenths on an inch of rain could come to Merced County, but is expected to drop off quickly to the south, according to the forecast.