Cooler today, but mostly dry conditions for interior northern California then becoming seasonably warm this week. Record highs possible Wednesday and Thursday.
Discussion
Zonal flow pattern will tilt to the northwest today, as storm system passes through the Pacific Northwest. NorCal will be shadowed by the Coast Range in this pattern with little rainfall expected. Expect only a few light showers mainly over Shasta county where light rainfall amounts less than 0.10 inches are expected.
Today will also be the coolest day as a ridge will build back over NorCal starting Tuesday and will be the start of a warming trend. Dry northerly winds are also expected for Tuesday with a few gusts to 25 mph over the northern and western Sacramento Valley.
Ridge strengthens Wednesday and Thursday with record breaking temperatures at many locations with readings warming to the upper 80’s and mid 90’s for Valley spots. These temperatures will be 20 to 25 degrees above normal for early April.
Current records for Wednesday.
Redding/Redding Airport…..93 in 2016
Red Bluff……………….95 in 1989
Downtown Sacramento………91 in 1989
Sacramento Exec………….90 in 1989
Stockton………………..89 in 2016
Modesto…………………92 in 1989
Current records for Thursday.
Redding/Redding Airport…..94 in 1924
Red Bluff……………….97 in 1989
Downtown Sacramento………91 in 1989
Sacramento Exec………….90 in 1989
Stockton………………..91 in 1989
Modesto…………………94 in 1989
Extended Discussion (Friday through Monday)
Very warm temperatures will continue Friday with Valley temperatures in the upper 80s to mid 90s, threatening a few high temperature records. Ensemble clusters are in agreement that the ridge will move inland on Friday. However, there is less agreement on the placement of the upper trough to the north of the CWA next weekend. Regardless, onshore flow will bring some relief from the warm temperatures starting Saturday.