A very cold air mass coupled with a strong moisture plume brought several feet of snow to higher elevations. Snow accumulated down into the foothills, impacting travel over long stretches of highways. Local flooding was reported in the Valley.

Heavy Snow in SHASTA LAKE/NORTH SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-JAN-17 06:00:00 to 03-JAN-17 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

There were 8 inches of new snow, 19 inches storm total at Montgomery, elevation 3800 feet. This caused travel delays on Highway 299 and local roads.

Heavy Rain in PLUMAS, CALIFORNIA
From 03-JAN-17 08:00:00 to 04-JAN-17 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: QUINCY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were 1.99 inches of rain over 6 hours.

Flood in EL DORADO, CALIFORNIA
From 03-JAN-17 19:00:00 to 04-JAN-17 19:45:00 (PST-8)
Location: GOLD HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Minor street flooding was reported on roads near Gold Hill.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA, CALIFORNIA
From 01-JAN-17 06:00:00 to 02-JAN-17 06:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

There were 12 inches of snow measured at Soda Springs by Caltrans, 24 hour total. This caused travel difficulties on Sierra highways, especially due to increased travel after the New Years holiday weekend.

Heavy Snow in BURNEY BASIN/EASTERN SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-JAN-17 06:00:00 to 03-JAN-17 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

There were 6 inches of new snow, 12 inches storm total at Burney, elevation 3100 feet. This caused travel delays on Highway 299 and local roads.

Heavy Rain in EL DORADO, CALIFORNIA
From 03-JAN-17 07:00:00 to 04-JAN-17 07:43:00 (PST-8)
Location: KYBURZ
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There was 1.73 inches of rain measured over 24 hours, 4 miles east of Kyburz.

Heavy Rain in EL DORADO, CALIFORNIA
From 03-JAN-17 07:00:00 to 04-JAN-17 07:47:00 (PST-8)
Location: PACIFIC
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

There was 2.40 inches of rain measured over 24 hours in Pacific House, 4.56 inches storm total, over 3 days.

Heavy Snow in SHASTA LAKE/NORTH SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-JAN-17 06:00:00 to 03-JAN-17 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Interstate 5 was closed 10 miles north of Redding due to snow accumulating on the road. The closure occurred between 6 pm on January 3, to 2 pm on January 4.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA, CALIFORNIA
From 01-JAN-17 06:00:00 to 02-JAN-17 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were 9.5 inches of snow measured at Kingvale at 6100 feet by a trained weather spotter, 24 hour total. Traffic on Interstate was impacted, with delays and chain controls.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA, CALIFORNIA
From 01-JAN-17 06:00:00 to 02-JAN-17 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Pacific House had 13 inches of snow at 3450 feet, Kyburz at 4058 feet had 11 inches of snow. Travel on nearby Highway 50 was slowed, with chain controls in place.

Heavy Snow in SHASTA LAKE/NORTH SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-JAN-17 06:00:00 to 03-JAN-17 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were 6 inches of snow at 2500 feet elevation 2 miles northwest of Sims. There were 2 inches on Interstate 5 at 1800 feet elevation, slowing travel.

Heavy Snow in WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA, CALIFORNIA
From 01-JAN-17 06:00:00 to 04-JAN-17 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

There were 30 inches of snow measured at Soda Springs/Donner Pass by Caltrans, 24 hour total. There was a storm total of 56 inches. This caused significant travel difficulties and delays on Sierra highways, with whiteout conditions at times. Numerous accidents and heavy traffic caused Caltrans to close east and west bound Interstate 80 mid afternoon through midnight. U.S. Highway 50 had traffic holds due to avalanche control.