Chances appear to be improving for at least average precipitation for the first time in four winters in Northern California. Tom Dang at the National Weather Service office in Sacramento says their revised outlook now shows an 80-percent chance of normal rain and snowfall, thanks to a growing El Nino pattern which may be among the strongest on record…

click to listen to Tom Dang

Dang says the chance for above-average precipitation is only around 35 to 40-percent…

click to listen to Tom Dang

Conservation will continue to be stressed by the state. Dang says most of the rain and snow will likely happen during what is traditionally the heaviest period in the winter, in December, January, and February. But he also says El Nino storms are usually warmer, which could mean less snow at the lower elevations.