Temperatures will remain below average this week. Dry weather is expected except for a chance of light showers across the Coast Range, northern Sacramento Valley and northern mountains today.
Discussion
Partly to mostly cloudy skies cover the region early this morning as the upper trough remains off the coast. Radar indicates a few light showers continuing over the mountains of northwest Shasta County.
Satellite imagery indicates the heat signature from the Electra Fire has waned since Monday evening, and surface obs around the fire show lighter winds and RH has increased to above 80 percent.
Onshore surface pressure gradient has continued to slacken, and combined with the increase in cloudiness, has resulted in considerably milder temperatures compared to 24 hours ago. Many portions of the Central Valley are still seeing temperatures in the mid 60s to mid 70s. Ensembles linger the main trough off the PacNW coast the next several days continuing below-average temperatures across interior NorCal through the week.
Best shower chances will remain along the northwestern edge of the forecast area as additional short- waves brush the region providing weak forcing.
Breezy south to west winds will pick up again this afternoon as gradients tighten. Modest warming is expected beginning Wednesday as heights aloft increase slightly, but continuing onshore flow will help to keep temperatures a little below average.
Extended Discussion (Saturday through Tuesday)
A weak short wave will pass over NorCal on Saturday but upper level ridging building in from the southwest will continue to bring a warming trend. Warming will continue into early next week with Valley highs returning to near 100 by Sunday/Monday.
Long wave troughing over the Pacific will keep onshore winds and will be breezy at times mainly over the Sierra and through the Delta and will provide overnight cooling to influenced areas.