Cool and dry weather through Friday with locally breezy north to east wind. Valley rain and mountain snow chances return over the weekend with heavy mountain snow possible next week.
Discussion
Trough continues to dig southeast as short-wave ridging begins to move over NorCal in its wake. Radar shows showers continuing to taper across the northern Sierra and foothills early this morning. Cooler and drier air is beginning to work its way into the region as north to east surface gradient tightens, and dew points have lowered into the 20s to mid 30s across the foothills and northern Sacramento Valley. Areas of frost will be likely across these areas early this morning, and a frost advisory is in effect until 9 AM.
Dry weather will return today and Friday, and breezy north to east winds will develop this morning and continue into this evening with the strongest gusts of 20-30 mph likely along the western edge of the Central Valley.
Winds will subside this evening setting the stage for another night of cold temperatures, particularly along the eastern edge of the Central Valley up into the foothills where frost will once again be likely by Friday morning. A frost advisory is in effect from 1 AM until 9 AM Friday. Highs today and Friday will be around 10-15 degrees below average.
Strong AR poised to bring heavy precipitation to the PacNW will weaken as it drops south into NorCal this weekend. Light to moderate amounts of QPF are expected to spread south later Saturday along a weakening front. Post-frontal showers will continue Sunday. Snow levels will be higher with a few inches of accumulating snow possible near the higher passes.
Extended Discussion (Monday through Thursday)
Cold and unsettled weather expected next week. Clusters and ensembles in good agreement showing an anomalously cold trough across the region with a pattern favorable for producing hefty amounts of mountain snow (measured in feet), particularly Monday into Wednesday (significant anomalies indicated on EC EFI).
Severe travel impacts, more typical of mid-winter, can be expected across the mountain passes if this pattern verifies with several days of disruption possible.
Stay tuned for updates!