NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - Did you ask Santa for rain and snow this year? It looks like he may have got your letters, because the next week and half are about to be a whole lot wetter.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has released new predictions that suggest Northern California may see several waves of rain or snow from now through Christmas Day. Northern Californians can expect the rain to start pouring in starting tomorrow, with at the very least a chance of precipitation lasting until next Wednesday, the NWS reports. Rain estimates from the NWS from now through early Tuesday are one to two and a half inches in the valley and two to four inches in the foothills.

Snow lovers in the Sierra might be welcomed by some powder on Monday, the official first day of winter. The NWS expects snowfall amounts to range anywhere from four inches to a foot in the mountain range through early Tuesday. Snow levels today and on Friday will be from 5,500 to 6,500 ft above sea level, but will lower to 3,500 to 4,500 ft over the weekend. 

Today, Sacramento’s NWS released a special weather statement regarding the expected weather patterns in Northern California. Counties from Shasta, Sacramento, Clear Lake, Chico, Redding and beyond have been warned that the weather will impact holiday travel.

“Extended wet pattern will impact Norcal starting today and could last into Christmas Day,” Sacramento’s NWS announced in the statement. “Impacts to mountain travel will be exacerbated by a high volume of holiday travelers. This extended wet period will enhance potential for localized flooding for small streams and urban areas.”

However helpful this will be to both reservoir and snow pack levels for California, there is no likelihood that it will be enough to make a substantial dent into the state’s overall drought. For more on how California’s drought conditions are faring and the state’s winter weather, continue to check in with AndNowUKnow.