Breezy north winds today. Dry weather with milder temperatures early this week. Another weather system will brush by to the east later Wednesday bringing a few showers to the northern Sierra. North to east winds return Thursday.
Discussion
Dry north to northeast flow continues across the region with subsidence and clear skies behind the short-wave dropping south through the Great Basin. Northerly surface gradient is tightening, MFR to SAC is up to 7 mbs and RNO to SAC is 2 mbs. Local north to east winds are gusting 10-20 mph in the Sacramento Valley and surrounding terrain, and 20-30 mph in the northern Sierra.
Amplified pattern will continue this week with ridging off the coast and troughing over the interior West. Breezy northerly flow along with a gradual warming trend will continue today and Tuesday as high pressure builds slightly over NorCal.
Cool overnight lows will continue across portions of the Central Valley, especially along the eastern edge of the valley where north winds will be lighter. The next short-wave is forecast to drop down from the north on Wednesday and may bring a few showers to the northern Sierra on Wednesday night. The system will bring a bit of cooling for Wednesday and Thursday, and another round of gusty north wind is likely in its wake on Thursday.
Extended Discussion (Friday through Monday)
EPAC upper ridge shifts inland across NorCal on Friday with dry weather and above normal high temperatures. Pacific frontal system approaches NorCal Saturday but models indicate it will undergo frontolysis Saturday night into early Sunday as it moves inland. Slight chance of an isolated light shower over the Shasta mountains early Sunday. Short wave ridging moves through on Sunday. Models differ with progression of next Pacific storm. NBM leans more towards the OP GFS solution with increased POPs over northern portions of the CWA Monday.