Some much-needed rain and snow arrived in Northern California on Thursday. KCRA 3's weather team called Thursday a Weather Impact Day for the travel impacts in the Sierra, where chain controls were in effect for portions of Interstate 80 and Highway 50 and where spinouts were reported. The past couple of weeks have been mostly dry, and this weather system could bring several feet of snow to the Sierra and some much-needed moisture to keep vegetation from drying out. Send us your storm videos at kcra.com/upload. Scroll down to see the latest forecast from our weather team, interactive Doppler radar and a real-time traffic map for the Sacramento area and other parts of Northern California. Here are the latest updates. Here are the latest updates you should know about6:37 a.m.: Here's the forecast for when more rain and snow will arrive this weekend. This will be the final update for this story. 11:07 p.m.: KCRA 3 Chief Meteorologist said snowfall has ended in the Sierra.6:34 p.m.: Traffic on Highway 50 between Echo Summit and Meyers is being held due to multiple spinouts. There is no estimated time of reopening.6:30 p.m.: Traffic was released on Interstate 80 and Highway 20. Trucks on 80 are still being turned around.5:59 p.m.: Highway 88 has reopened after Caltrans said crews needed to work on avalanche control in the Carson Spur area.4:24 p.m.: The California Highway Patrol said Interstate 80 has reopened again. There is still slow-moving traffic as crews clear vehicles stuck at Donner Summit.4:28 p.m.: Caltrans has closed off Highway 88 in the Carson Spur area for avalanche control. There is no estimated time of reopening.3:21 p.m.: These are the preliminary rain totals so far, by KCRA 3 Chief Meteorologist Mark Finan.2:53 p.m.: I-80 traffic is being held from the Nevada state line to Alta due to low visibility. 1:52 p.m.: I-80 is back in action. 1:38 p.m.: KCRA 3's Maricela De La Cruz has an update on travel issues.1:17 p.m.: Spinouts are forcing traffic delays on parts of I-80. 1:14 p.m.: El Dorado County says offices in South Lake Tahoe are closed. 1:11 p.m.: Here is information on warming centers that are opening up in Sacramento and Stockton. 12:44 p.m.: Caltrans' John O'Connell joined the KCRA News at noon and advised people to avoid traveling to the Sierra on Thursday if they don't need to go. But he also shared safety tips for those who do travel during the snowstorm. People should be prepared for spinouts and other challenging conditions because "weather like this in the mountains is a fluid situation,” he said. Among the tips: Make sure your windshield wipers are working and headlights are on and functioning.Bring bottled water, snacks, food, blankets and flashlights because “you just never know if you’re going to be stuck up there for a prolonged period of time,” O’Connell said.Keep your phone charged and your gas tank full.Avoid alternative routes like backroads because those roads are not plowed frequently.12:04 p.m.: Westbound traffic is being held on I-80 at the Nevada state line after big rigs jackknife. 9:26 a.m.: Highway 50 chains are now required from Fred's Place to Meyers. 8:37 a.m.: Sierra snow levels are starting to drop and Valley rain conditions will stay active through the morning, Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn says. Watch the latest forecast below. 8:01 a.m.: The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a backcountry avalanche warning through Friday morning for Central Sierra Nevada mountains between Yuba Pass on the north and Ebbetts Pass on the south, including the greater Lake Tahoe area. "Feet of new snow and strong winds will overload an already weak snowpack and result in very dangerous avalanche conditions in the mountains," the warning said. "Avalanche activity could be widespread, and some avalanches could be large and destructive. Avalanches may be triggered from flatter areas below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes."8 a.m.: Heavenly says wind gusts will impact some operations. 7:59 a.m.: Another chain control update. 7:29 a.m.: All schools in the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District are closed for a snow day. 7:28 a.m.: Here's a look at possible rain and snow totals we can expect, based on our weather team's futurecast from this morning. 6:46 a.m.: Those traveling to the Sierra can check the latest highway conditions here.Caltrans says this about I-80: Chain controls are in effect from 2 miles east of Baxter in Placer County to Truckee. Eastbound trucks are being screened at Applegate. Westbound trucks are being screened 5 miles west of Reno.Caltrans says this about Highway 50: Chains are required from Twin Bridges to Meyers in El Dorado County. Here's what you need to know about the forecast. Rain in the Sacramento ValleyRain cleared in the afternoon after the morning commute was windy and wet.Northern California could see about half an inch to an inch of rain in some Valley spots like Sacramento on Thursday. Other spots around Modesto could see a quarter of an inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain.Video below: Sacramento crews clear leaves from the street in preparation for rainSierra SnowIt is forecast to snow much of the day in the Sierra above 5,000 feet, with accumulations of 2 feet possible in higher elevations on Thursday. Ski areas could be in the 3 feet range.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn says the bulk of the snow will be above 3,000 feet.Looking aheadBy Thursday evening and into Friday, the rain and snow will be gone, but we may have some fog by Friday morning.Northern California will get a break from the rain on Friday before the rain begins to develop again on Saturday and linger into Sunday.The weekend will have on-again, off-again rain that will be difficult to time out for any particular location. Snow levels will be above 5,000 feet.Warming centers in Sacramento, Stockton openSacramento County is opening a warning center at DHA 28th Street Annex from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. from Wednesday through Dec. 8. It's located at 1725 28th St. in downtown Sacramento. Learn more in the video player below. The city of Sacramento is opening its Outreach and Engagement Center at 3615 Auburn Blvd. and the North Fifth Street Shelter lobby at 700 North Fifth Street through Dec. 8 from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. In Stockton, the city will open a warming zone from Thursday through Sunday from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. at Stribley Community Center, 1760 E. Sonora Street.Track real-time traffic updates here(App users, click here to see our interactive traffic map.)Track Northern California Doppler radar here (App users, click here to see our interactive radar map.)Download our app for the latestHere is where you can download our app for the latest weather alerts.Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaChief Meteorologist Mark Finan on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Eileen Javora on FacebookMeteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and TwitterWatch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere's where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we're live.We're also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.