February 19, 2020 – Dry and mild conditions continue this week, except for a slight chance of showers over the northern Sierra south of Tahoe on Friday.
Discussion
Weak lingering trough near the OR/CA border continues to generate some mid and high cloudiness across portions of NorCal, otherwise skies are clear across the region. Winds are lighter across the area except for some north to east breezes in the teens and 20s mph continuing over the far northern Sacramento Valley and near the mouth of the Feather River Canyon. Current temperatures are cooler compared to 24 hours ago and generally range from the mid teens to mid 20s in the mountain valleys, to the mid 30s to mid 40s across the Central Valley.
Dry weather with mild daytime temperatures will continue through the remainder of the week. Highs today will be around 4-8 degrees above average, warming to around 7-15 degrees above average on Friday and Saturday.
Short-wave ridging moves over the area today and Thursday as the next upstream trough splits off the coast. Most of the energy will head to our south into SoCal, but enough lift and instability may be present for a few showers over the Sierra Nevada south of Tahoe on Friday.
Extended Discussion (Sunday through Wednesday)
Frontal system moves through the PacNW Sunday with southern extent of cold front brushing across far northern CA. Some light showers are possible, mainly over the Shasta and Western Plumas mountains and higher elevations of the Northern Sierra Nevada. Little to no accumulations are expected with this wave. EPAC high builds inland behind the wave Monday with areas of gusty north to east wind. Upper ridging continues through midweek with dry weather. Locally breezy conditions persist in the Northern Sac Valley and eastern foothills and mountains into Wednesday morning. Above normal daytime high temperatures expected through the extended period with an upward trend in max temps through Tuesday.