November 29, 2016 – Dry weather with locally breezy north wind returns this week as high pressure builds along the West Coast. The exception will be a weak system that may bring a few showers to the northern mountains and Sierra Nevada on Wednesday.
Discussion
As of 8:55 am, the sky is clear across the region other than an area of stratus and some patchy fog that is hanging out over Sacramento and San Joaquin counties this morning. Fog is probably limited to the east side as the terrain rises from the Valley floor and should only last until around 1000 am PST, while the stratus may linger until noon. Despite the winds, temperatures are running cooler across most of the area compared to 24 hours ago and generally range from the 20s and 30s in the mountains to the 40s to lower 50s elsewhere.
Dry weather with temperatures close to average will be the general rule this week as high pressure dominates. Winds will diminish later today setting the stage for some patchy fog and frost in the Central Valley tonight.
A weak system is forecast to brush through the region Wednesday bringing a few showers to the northern mountains and northern Sierra Nevada. Elsewhere, partly to mostly cloudy skies are expected as the system moves through. Following the system, another round of breezy north winds is forecast for late-week.
Extended discussion (Saturday through Tuesday)
Upper ridge continues over Interior NorCal Saturday with dry weather and near to slightly above normal temperatures. Upper trough moves through Sunday into Monday bringing cooling, gusty wind over higher terrain, and a threat of light showers mainly over Shasta county and higher mountain elevations of Plumas County and the Northern Sierra Nevada. Temperatures cool to below normal Monday. Forecast leans towards GFS Tuesday with drier weather as upper ridging builds inland and northerly flow sets up.