Meteorologists still predict that rain is on the way

A few drops of rain began to fall Thursday afternoon in the Mother Lode, but the predicted heavy storm has yet to develop.

The weather system is working its way down from Alaska and is expected to move over much of California, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Johnnie Powell in Sacramento.

He said some snow is possible, but it likely won’t stick until it reaches elevations above 4,000 feet.    

It is supposed to continue raining today, and heavy rains are expected tonight, Powell said.    

According to the NWS forecast, a half inch to an inch of rain was due to fall by 4 a.m. this morning, Powell said. That didn’t happen, with barely measurable rain falling overnight in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties.    

Tonight, temperatures are expected to drop to 42 degrees with wind gusts as high as 26 mph.   

There is a 90 percent chance of rain tonight and a 50 percent chance Saturday with temperatures as low as 32 degrees.    

Sunday will be partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain in the lower elevations of the Mother Lode. Rain will continue through Tuesday, the NWS predicted.    

Daytime temperatures over the weekend will be around 52 in Sonora and Angels Camp.    

Snow is expected above 5,500 feet and heavy snow is possible over the weekend above 6,500 feet elevation, the NWS reported Thursday.    

The weekend’s high winds could also cause small tree branches to fall and there could be possible power outages due to the storms, the NWS warned on its website Thursday.    

People traveling in the snow are advised to carry warm clothing, chains, food, water and blankets in case of delays on roadways.    

California Highway Patrol officials Thursday also advised drivers to use caution on the freshly wet roadways.    

In the dry months, oil accumulates on the roadways and the first rainfall of a season causes conditions to be slicker than usual, the CHP reported.    

Officer Olga Boenisch of the Jamestown area office advised drivers to increase their following distance in wet or rainy conditions.    

Boenisch said people need to check their tire treads and decrease speed in rainy conditions.    

The faster a vehicle travels, the less the tires touch the road, Boenisch said.    

Another good tip for drivers — don’t look directly at the car in front of you. Look ahead for hazards, Boenisch advised.