Most of Northern California is under flood watch for the next several days as the region is forecasted to receive heavy rainfall through the holiday week. 

A strong atmospheric river will bring heavy rainfall to California through Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Several areas, including the Northern Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, are also expected to see high winds gusts, the weather service says. A wind advisory will be in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon. 

The weather service is also warning of flash and urban flooding, as well as mudslides and rockslides in the mountains. Heavy snowfall is expected to impact the Sierra Nevada mountains this week, with several feet of snow possible at high elevations.

A reprieve in weather events in the beginning of the week is being described by the weather services as a calm before the storm moves in Wednesday evening. A majority of Northern California is under a weather watch, advisory or warning.

“While we’re seeing a brief break in precipitation this morning, widespread moderate to heavy rain returns late this evening, continuing through Friday,” the weather service said in a social media post. “Our Flood Watch remains in effect through 4pm Friday. Stay aware & follow any instructions from local officials!”

Forecasts show rain will begin Tuesday evening, with high wind gusts reaching 46 mph. Areas of Northern California could se up to half an inch of rain.

Heavy rain is forecast to continue through Friday night, with high temperatures dropping into the low 50s and continued high winds, the weather service said. The heavy rain is expected to move through California by Saturday for a mostly-sunny weekend, where temperatures will drop into the low 50s and high 40s. 

The Sierra Cascades will be on a winter storm warning from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 10 p.m. Friday.

The weather service forecasts snowfall above 5,500 feet, with some areas receiving up to 8 feet at the highest peaks and wind gusts up to 60 mph. 

“Heavy snow will cause near white out conditions at times and holiday travel is highly discouraged,” according to the weather service.

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