Cool morning and seasonably warm afternoon expected today with lighter winds. Light showers possible over far northern portions of the area late Saturday into early Sunday morning. Otherwise, dry conditions through the weekend.
Discussion
Aside a few high clouds over far northern California, infrared satellite imagery reveals clear skies over the region this early Friday morning. Yesterday`s gusty winds in the Valley have largely diminished with nearly all reporting winds/gusts less than 15 mph. Sunrise temperatures will fall to the 30s for most Valley communities as a result of the dry airmass and lighter winds.
There are a few locally breezy sites reporting easterly gusts above 40 mph in the mountains, primarily at the wind-prone peaks and gaps. Expect these winds to gradually diminish through daybreak.
Upper-level ridge will drift over northern California today, promoting a “long thermometer” day with sweater weather in the morning and t-shirts by lunchtime.
Valley highs will warm to the low/mid 70s this afternoon, or about 3 to 8 deg F above early/mid March climatology. Light north/east winds are expected to reverse during the daytime, becoming south/west for much of interior NorCal. Upper-level low will approach the Pacific Northwest on Saturday, and will introduce light precipitation chances for northwestern California.
Our area will likely be on the southeastern periphery of precipitation chances; Redding has around a 50-60% chance of receiving measurable rainfall Saturday night while Sacramento has a 10-20% chance. This brief opportunity for light precipitation will quickly wrap up as mostly dry conditions return by around mid-day Sunday.
Low-amplitude upper-level ridge returns to the West Coast for Monday with temperatures hovering right around to slightly above normal in the upper 60s to low 70s.
Extended Discussion (Tuesday through Friday)
Pacific frontal system continues to push through interior NorCal Tuesday with showers, and snow showers in the mountains above 6000 feet. Drier weather develops Tuesday night into Wednesday as EPAC upper ridge builds inland.
Embedded weak short waves modeled to move through ridge and weaken as they move into NorCal. At this time forecast remains dry through the remainder of the week.