February 2, 2018 – Dry and mild for the next week with above average daytime temperatures. Some patchy morning valley fog may develop at times through the forecast period.
Discussion
Fair skies over the CWA this morning as high pressure aloft continues to build over the eastern Pacific. Clear skies could allow for some patchy valley fog this morning from about the Sacramento area southward. Light northerly winds farther north are keeping conditions too dry there so fog is unlikely. Overall airmass warms slightly today so daytime highs should come in similar to Thursday highs or a bit warmer. High temperature records for the date are likely to fall in the valley especially the northern Sacramento valley where upper 70s are predicted.
Very little change in overall airmass is expected on Saturday so very warm daytime temperatures and fair skies will continue with more record highs likely to be set. Overnight low temperatures are likely to remain a little above normal as well with patchy fog still possible in the valley under stable conditions and fair skies under the ridge. Most locations will see a little cooling on Sunday as a shortwave trough moves through the Pacific northwest.
Any precipitation and even significant cloud cover will remain north of the state and even with a trim of a degree or two, highs will still come in well above normal. Only minor changes expected on Monday as upper ridge remains over the eastern Pacific. With northwest flow aloft and surface high pressure over the Pacific Northwest, winds over most of the forecast area are expected to be light northerly through most of the short term period.
Extended discussion (Tuesday through Friday)
Strong high pressure centered over the eastern Pacific will continue unseasonably warm and dry conditions with northerly flow. High temperatures will be 10-20 degrees above average.