January 27, 2018 – Dry and mild for next week.
Discussion
Plenty of clouds have overspread the area overnight as weak shortwave moves across northern portions of the state. This has prevented the widespread formation of fog across the valley but a few spots reporting visibilities down to a quarter mile. Fog should burn off during the morning hours. Bulk of dynamics and moisture associated with shortwave remain across the Pacific NW so just a few showers expected across northern portions of the area today. Only light accumulations expected so not expecting much in the way of impacts.
As storm track shifts north of the state, ridging then builds over the region for next week with dry and mild weather. Daytime high temperatures will range some 5 to 11 degrees above normal for late January. Subsidence should lead to less cloud coverage over the area and more widespread fog formation across the central and mountain valleys each morning. Could see some patches of dense fog as well.
Extended discussion (Wednesday through Saturday)
High pressure ridge over the eastern Pacific will bring fair skies and daytime highs 10 degrees or more above normal Wednesday through Friday. Night and morning valley fog could be an issue but dry conditions will likely keep it at a minimum. Extended models beginning to hint at a Golf of Alaska trough dropping into the Pacific northwest next Saturday. Will have to wait and see if models become more consistent with this feature which could bring light precipitation to parts of the CWA. For now, have kept extended period dry.