Dry and mild weather continues. Breezy north to east winds return Tuesday and Wednesday. Lighter winds and above average temperatures late in the week.
Discussion
High clouds ahead of the offshore closed low have arced northward overnight and cover much of the forecast area except for the northern Sacramento Valley. Current temperatures are milder (3-6 degrees) across most of the valley compared to 24 hours ago. Little valley fog formation is expected despite higher dew points.
A series of short-waves will brush by to the north across the PacNW today and Tuesday before eventually a deeper trough develops to our east Tuesday and Wednesday. Northerly surface gradient will begin to tighten across the region later today and will continue tightening on Tuesday. Easterly gradient is forecast to also pick up on Tuesday, peaking Tuesday night and Wednesday.
North winds will pick up across the Central Valley today, then become locally breezy tonight. The strongest gusts are expected Tuesday into Wednesday over the western half of the valley extending into the foothills of the Coast Range where gusts of 35-45 mph will be possible.
A Wind Advisory has been posted. Northeasterly winds will also increase across the northern Sierra west slopes later on Tuesday, and especially on Tuesday night into Wednesday. Gusts of 30-50 mph are expected over the usual wind- prone high elevation areas, and higher gusts are likely over the higher peaks.
Cold advection will lead to a couple of days of cooler temperatures across the area on Tuesday and Wednesday, then milder temperatures return Thursday as ridging returns.
Extended Discussion (Friday through Monday)
Short wave trough rides the EPAC ridge into the PACNW Friday, then digs into the Great Basin over the weekend. High pressure remains over interior NorCal keeping dry weather with above normal high temperatures. Patchy morning frost possible in colder areas of the Central Valley. Some locally gusty north to east wind possible Sunday into early next week.