January 22, 2020 – Mainly dry weather today, then a few weak weather systems bring low precipitation chances Thursday and Friday. Potentially wetter system Saturday with high snow levels.
Discussion
Mostly cloudy skies with a few areas of drizzle or light precip linger across NorCal in the wake of Tuesday’s weak weather system. Temperatures remain very mild with current readings ranging from the 30s to lower 40s in the mountains to the upper 40s to mid 50s across the Central Valley.
Broad ridging over the eastern Pacific moves across the region later today through the end of the week. Satellite imagery shows extensive cloudiness off the coast with the blended TPW product showing a large area of 1.00-1.25 inch PW under the ridge to the west of NorCal. The moisture and cloud cover will help to maintain rather mild overnight low temperatures, and portions of the Central Valley may even see some highs reaching into the lower 60s the remainder of the week.
Another weaker system will bring a chance of light precipitation later Thursday into Friday before another system moves in over the weekend. The weekend system may bring a little more QPF, but will likely be another low-impact event as snow levels rise initially above 8k ft limiting snowfall accumulations on Saturday to just the highest elevations of the northern Sierra and Mt Lassen.
Extended Discussion (Sunday through Wednesday)
Pacific frontal system pushes through Sunday with rain and mountain snow. Light to moderate precipitation looks to be in order with snow advisory amounts above 6000 feet. Upper ridging builds over NorCal early next week for drier forecast, however models continue to show some light overrunning precip continuing over northern portions of the CWA Monday into Wednesday.