LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As many residents prepare to travel or receive visitors for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the first winter storm watch of the season has been issued for Northern California, including parts of Lake County.

A strong polar jet stream that began pushing the first of two cold fronts into Lake County Thursday is forecast to spread snow showers into the Interstate 80 corridor this morning according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento.

Anyone planning travel to the Sierra Nevada or Cascades are advised to prepare for winter weather, including strong winds combined with blowing and drifting snow, which will make for hazardous travel conditions on Friday, forecasters advised.

A second cold front will move across Northern California and Lake County on Saturday, bringing the first true arctic blast and snows of the season, the National Weather Service said.

Forecasters believe snow levels will be down to 2,000 feet by late Saturday, and all mountain areas above 2,000 feet will be susceptible to winter weather.

In the high elevations above 5,000 feet, 2 to 4 feet of snow may fall by Sunday night, coupled with bitterly cold winds and temperatures below zero. Interstate 80 and Highway 50 are likely to become impassible this weekend, forecasters said.

Friday's outlook will feel much like winter, with rain showers throughout the day and temperatures just reaching into the 40s. The National Weather Service predicted showers will increase overnight with lows in the mid-30s.

Saturday will be winter – a good day to cozy-up indoors – with heavy rains and daytime highs only in the mid-30s to 40s, with below-freezing temperatures forecast overnight throughout most of the county, the National Weather Service said.

Snow and rain showers will taper off throughout the day on Sunday, while forecasters said temperatures will inch upward but remain in the 40s during the day and at or below freezing overnight.

Winter weather conditions continue through Tuesday morning as the wet cold front slowly moves out, allowing dry and sunny weather to build back for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, forecasters said.

Although counter-intuitive, make sure to water any potted outdoor plants well on Friday – it will help ensure they can withstand the freezing temperatures moving in.

Drivers also should remember to carry chains if traveling over high mountain passes.

For up-to-the minute weather information, please follow the links on the Lake County News home page.

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