November 16, 2016 – Weather system will continue a few showers across the region today. Dry weather returns Thursday and Friday before another weather system approaches for the weekend.
Discussion
Clear to partly cloudy skies across interior NorCal early this morning in the wake of yesterday’s initial frontal passage. Only a few showers are present over the northern Sierra Nevada. Current temperatures are cooler across most of the area compared to 24 hours ago, especially in the mountains where readings are running 10-15 degrees lower.
The second part of the weather system will move across the area today as the upper trough passes overhead and another surge of colder air works its way into the region. Radar indicates extensive showers along the northwest coast of California, and some of these will make their way inland this morning as the upper trough moves through. QPF will be light.
Some showers will linger into early this evening over the northern mountains and along the northern Sierra crest, but a transition to anti-cyclonic northwest flow behind the trough will dry things out by early Thursday. Clearing skies will set the stage for some chilly mornings across interior NorCal late this week while afternoon highs will moderate a bit.
Next system forecast to move into the region Friday night and Saturday, but timing of onset and extent of precipitation across NorCal still rather tricky as models have shown difficulty with the splitting trough along 130W.
Extended discussion (Sunday through Wednesday)
Cool and unsettled weather is expected through the extended period.
Scattered showers expected across the area on Sunday as upper trough splits, with much of the energy and moisture heading into southern California. A few inches of snow are possible at Sierra pass levels, which could cause some travel issues. Showers will linger into Monday, with generally light rain and mountain snow amounts. By Tuesday, a brief period of upper ridging will bring dry weather.
Another trough arrives Tuesday night, with chances of showers continuing through mid week, mainly north of I80.