Forecasters say it´s the first in a series of storms that will bring nonstop winds and intermittent rain to the valleys and snow in the upper elevations though the weekend.

A winter storm warning is in effect above 6,500 feet in the Sierra, where today´s rain is expected to become tonight´s snow. Accumulations of two to four feet of snow are possible by Saturday morning above 7,000 feet in the mountains.