January 24, 2017 – A few lingering showers this morning, then drier weather into the weekend except for a slight chance of light showers mid-week.
Discussion
Vertically stacked low pressure southwest of the Bay Area will continue to fill as it moves southeast today. Some lingering isolated wrap-around showers will be possible across the region until about midday. Snow levels remain around 2-3K ft with any additional accumulations this morning expected to be very light.
Current temperatures are in the teens and 20s in the mountains, 30s in the foothills and upper 30s to mid 40s in the valley.
High pressure will build over the area later today and tonight with clearing skies. With light winds, this will allow cold temperatures Wednesday morning with areas of frost in the valley. Minimums Wednesday morning may dip into the single digits in the colder mountain valleys while readings in the Central Valley will be in the upper 20s to lower 30s.
The next system, a weak one will begin to move into the area later Wednesday into Thursday. Precipitation amounts will be very light. The increased cloud cover will allow for a little milder overnight low temperatures.
Dry weather returns by the weekend.
Extended discussion (Saturday through Tuesday)
A high amplitude upper ridge continues over NorCal for the weekend with the height center just offshore. This translates to dry weather and warmer temperatures into early next week. Surface high pressure over the Intermountain West will result in a tightened pressure gradient and some breezy conditions down the west slope of the Sierra the western portion of the Sacramento Valley. On the other hand, the wind sheltered areas within the eastern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Valleys will likely allow some fog formation Saturday. Lighter wind expected Sunday into Tuesday will likely allow more fog and/or low stratus formation.
An approaching Eastern Pacific upper low may bring a cold front onto NorCal’s doorstep next Tuesday and/or Wednesday, introducing us our next round of wet weather.