December 5, 2021 – A few showers will be possible Monday as a weak system moves through. Additional precipitation chances and cooler temperatures expected late week.
Discussion
Central Valley stratus continues to break up early this afternoon with blue skies beginning to peak out through the low cloud cover. Lowered temperatures a few degrees from the NBM where stratus has lingered the longest, with areas without cloud cover already seeing a decent warm up. Highs range from the mid 50s to low 70s in the Valley (depending on stratus cover), with the mountains in the 40s and 50s.
Fog and stratus looks to redevelop tonight with the latest HREF suggesting the best chances for dense fog on the western side of the Valley. Some north wind remains over the northern Sacramento Valley tonight which may limit fog development to areas further south than were seen this morning. Increasing cloud cover will be seen throughout the day tomorrow as a weak system moves across our area through Monday night. Some showers will be possible across all of the area; however, the better chances will be in higher elevations. Only a few hundredths of QPF are expected for any given location.
Dry weather returns Tuesday along with clearing skies and a bit warmer temperatures than those seen on Monday. Another system approaches the area on Wednesday and brings slightly better chances for precipitation to interior NorCal.
Extended Discussion (Thursday through Sunday)
Clusters are in good agreement that a troughing will be over the NW US Thursday, although the amplitude varies within this guidance. Rain and mountain snow chances remain in the forecast for Thursday, with the best chances for precipitation in the higher elevations at this time. This quick system exits the area Friday leaving dry and cooler than normal temperatures through much of the weekend. Cold overnight lows expected. Ensembles still point toward the potential for more widespread and impactful precipitation toward the middle of the month.