Seasonably dry and warm weather for the rest of the week

Dry weather with near seasonable temperatures into next week.

Discussion

Satellite imagery shows deeper moisture and elevated instability lifting out of the region as flow aloft turns more southwesterly ahead of the trough off the BC coast. Radar still showing some isolated light returns over Shasta County with some lingering virga or sprinkles. These will be moving north out of the forecast area before sunrise.

Clearing skies and the return of a moderately strong Delta Breeze is resulting in cooler temperatures across much of the area compared to 24 hours ago. The strongest cooling has occurred in the Delta and southern Sacramento Valley where readings are down around 5-10 degrees compared to 24 hours ago. The exception is the northeast corner of the forecast area where current temperatures are running milder compared to early Monday.

Temperatures will cool just a bit the next few days as the weak trough remains offshore and a moderate Delta Breeze continues. Modest warming is expected to return by the end of the week as the western US ridge builds west bringing slightly higher heights aloft to NorCal suppressing (but not completely eliminating) the Delta Breeze. Overall, highs will remain close to average (+/- 5 degrees) while lows will remain mild across the foothill and mountain thermal belts.

Extended Discussion (Saturday through Tuesday)

Ensemble guidance indicates weak troughing over much of the northwest US this weekend, with low pressure developing off the southern California coast early next week. Quiet and warm weather look to continue through the weekend, with a slight cool down Monday and Tuesday. There is the potential for another surge of elevated monsoonal moisture early next week with may lead to an increasing chance of late day thunderstorms over the northern Sierra.