April 18, 2019 – Dry and warmer today. Some light precipitation possible across NorCal late Friday through Saturday. Isolated thunderstorms possible with high snow levels. Dry and warm again Sunday through mid week.
Discussion
High pressure ridge over the west coast will bring fair skies and more warming today. Daytime highs should max out from 10 to 15 degrees above normal for this time of year. Upper ridge axis shifts east of the state on Friday as a weak upper trough approaches the coast.
Daytime highs will cool a bit but still come in well above normal. The northern coast range may even see a little precipitation by late in the day.
As the upper through swings across the north state Friday evening through Saturday, light precipitation will be possible mainly north of interstate 80. Enough instability is indicated with this system passage that combined with daytime surface heating will bring a threat of thunderstorms both Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.
Daytime highs Saturday will drop back down to around normal.
Upper ridge pushes back in over the west coast bringing an end to any precipitation threat by Sunday morning. Daytime highs push quickly back up again to well above normal Sunday afternoon with fair skies going into next week.
Extended Discussion (Monday through Thursday)
High pressure is expected to build over the region allowing for warm and dry conditions. Chances for precip seem to be bouncing around at this point, with the latest guidance showing showers and potentially even some thunderstorms developing next weekend for the Cascades and northern mountains.