This week, California is set to experience its first widespread precipitation in months. From Wednesday through Saturday, a series of cold fronts will bring significant rain and snow, particularly across Northern California and the Sierra. On Wednesday, a strengthening low-pressure system will move southward from the Gulf of Alaska toward California. A strong cold front attached to the storm will first push into Northern California on Wednesday, then sweep through the rest of the state late Wednesday and into early Thursday morning. By Wednesday afternoon, moderate to heavy rain will develop along the Northern California coast, with 0.25 to 0.5 inches expected in just a few hours from Eureka to Crescent City. Precipitation will spread inland overnight and into Thursday morning, bringing 6 to 12 inches of snow to the mountains around Shasta Valley.