Redding could see snow. North State weather, I-5 and 299 road conditions weekend outlook

Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight
Updated ·4 min read

Bundle up. Winter isn't through with the North State yet.

Starting Thursday, a cold thunderstorm is bringing rain to the valley at Redding, snow to the surrounding foothills and mountains and in Siskiyou County. By Sunday, that storm could drop snow on communities at elevations as low as 1,000 feet — possibly lower, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm could make road conditions hazardous. Meteorologists forecast freezing temperatures and snow at towns along most North State highways, including Interstate 5.

The worst of the rain, snow and winds will arrive on Friday, lasting throughout the weekend, according to meteorologist Robert Baruffaldi at the weather service’s Sacramento branch. Parts of Siskiyou County may not see the worst of the storm until Saturday, according to the weather service's Medford branch.

A 'few flakes' could fall in Redding

Winds pick up on Thursday, reaching 35 mph with gusts around 50 mph in Redding. By Saturday those winds will die down to breezes as nighttime temperatures drop to freezing or below, Baruffaldi said.

Between Thursday and Sunday, communities along on the north Sacramento Valley floor will get rain amounting to up to 1.4 inches in Redding and up to 2.5 inches at Shasta Dam, according to Baruffaldi.

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Afternoons temperatures in Redding will reach the high 40s on Thursday and Friday, then drop into the upper 30s at night. Expect a freeze overnight on Saturday and a low of 35 degrees on Sunday night.

Lightning shoots over Redding during a thunderstorm.
Lightning shoots over Redding during a thunderstorm.

The rain will turn to snow at elevations as low as 1,000 feet. Redding might even get a "few flakes of snow" on Saturday morning, Baruffaldi said.

If that doesn’t happen, Redding residents won’t have to drive far to find snow, he said.

People living in the foothills and higher should prepare for snow and hard freezes. Over the weekend, temperatures will drop at night into the low to mid-20s in Burney, Mount Shasta and Dunsmuir; the high 20s in Yreka, according to weather service forecasters.

A snow plow clears the road by the Devastated Area in Lassen Volcanic Park during the spring of 2023.
A snow plow clears the road by the Devastated Area in Lassen Volcanic Park during the spring of 2023.

Mountain areas flanking the Sacramento Valley will get 2-4 inches of snow per hour, off and on, Thursday through Sunday. There’s a good chance the storm will drop as much as two feet of snow on areas above 3,000 feet; 5-7 feet on those at 4,500 feet and above, the weather service said.

How the first storm of March could impact traffic on I-5 and other Shasta and Siskiyou highways

Motorists traveling North State highways should prepare for winter conditions, according to the California Department of Transportation. Strong gusty winds will blow, and snow, ice and rain will make roads slick, according to Caltrans.

Here's what motorists and communities along North State highways can expect, including snow levels, according to the weather service.

Interstate 5 Corridor: Snow could impact road conditions starting 13 miles north of Redding, around the Pit River Bridge. Meteorologists forecast 1-6 inches of snow will fall at Lakehead, 3-10 inches at Sims, 8-17 inches at Dunsmuir, 11-17 at Mount Shasta and 1-4 inches at Yreka.

Highway 299 in Shasta County: Motorists driving west from Redding could see up to an inch of snow at Whiskeytown and 5-11 inches at Buckhorn Summit.

Snow is in the forecast along Highway 299 east of Redding, starting at Ingot (up to an inch). Round Mountain could get 6-13 inches of snow, Burney 7-14 inches and Fall River Mills 5-10 inches, the weather service said.

Highway 89 could get 16-24 inches of snow at McCloud, 5-12 inches at Hat Creek, according to the forecast.

Highway 44 could get 5-10 inches at Shingletown, 10-16 inches at Old Station, the weather service said.

Highway 36: Driving west, snow could impact road conditions beginning at Platina, 39 miles southwest of Redding, according to the weather service.

For information on road conditions go to the Caltrans QuickMap at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or the winter travel information page at dot.ca.gov/cttravel/chain-controls.html.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: North State weather and road conditions during winter weekend storms