Valley rain and mountain snow showers tonight and Tuesday then mild and dry through Friday. Another chance for Valley rain and mountain snow Saturday.
Discussion
A weak storm system will move through the region tonight and Tuesday. This will be a warm system with snow levels varying at times between 7000 to 8000 feet. Minimal snow impacts are expected but there still is a chance that chains could be required at times. The system is not that conducive for thunderstorms but maybe over the northern third of the Sacramento valley on Tuesday we could see a couple of Thunderstorms.
Rainfall amounts are not expected to be large with this system with valley amounts generally around a quarter inch or less for most locations. Mountain areas are expected to receive anywhere from around a quarter inch to an inch of rain.
A ridge of high pressure builds in briefly to bring the return of dry and warm temperatures for Wednesday. By Thursday the flow over the Pacific starts to become more zonal with a dry weak shortwave moving through the northern part of the forecast area.
Extended Discussion (Friday through Monday)
Zonal flow is set up over the Pacific on Friday which will lead to a storm system moving over the area on Saturday. This system will be much colder than the current one. Snow levels look to start out around 5000 feet and lower Saturday night into Sunday down to around 1500 to 2000 feet. It’s not a big system but its looking like it will will at least bring some rain to region.
Post frontal we might be able to see a couple of isolated thunderstorms around the region but at the moment it’s not looking that unstable for widespread activity. A ridge will build over the area behind the system for the first part of next week that will bring the return of dry and warm temperatures.