February 17, 2021 – Dry weather and seasonable temperatures will continue through today. Another round of unsettled weather is forecast to impact NorCal Thursday afternoon through early Saturday. Thereafter, a warming trend into next week will yield temperatures 5 to 15 degrees above average.
Discussion
Clear skies cover the region early this morning. The north-south surface pressure gradient has increased to over 6.5 mbs from MFR to SAC, and northerly winds of 10-15 mph have developed through much of the Central Valley. This will limit the overall extent of early morning fog compared to yesterday, with only patches expected along the far eastern edge of the valley by sunrise.
High pressure will result in slightly milder temperatures across the region as dry weather continues. Breezy northerly winds will continue into early this evening with gusts around 20-30 mph along the western edge of the Sacramento Valley and near some of the favored windier foothill locales.
A couple weak to moderate systems will affect the region from late Thursday into the weekend. The first moves in later Thursday into early Friday, but the front will quickly weaken as it moves southeast across NorCal. Precipitation will mostly be focused across northwest California. After a brief break Friday afternoon, the second system will move quickly across the area Friday night into early Saturday affecting mainly the foothills and mountains. Travel impacts will be possible across the mountains with both systems.
Extended discussion (Sunday through Wednesday)
EPAC upper ridge will be dominant synoptic feature through the extended forecast period. This will result in dry weather with above normal daytime temperatures. Locally gusty north to east wind possible at times through the middle of next week.