Weekend showers, another winter storm early next week

January 29, 2021 – Lingering showers today will gradually taper off this evening. Gulf of Alaska low will spread some light precipitation over the far north gradually increasing Saturday night through Sunday night.

Main part of the next system will move through the region Monday and Monday night tapering off on Tuesday and Tuesday night. Dry with northerly winds Wednesday and Thursday.

Discussion

One last decent batch of rain/snow is moving through the area this morning but will gradually taper in intensity otherwise lingering showers will gradually taper this evening. For the most part there will be a break in precipitation for most everyone until Saturday night.

A few light showers over the northern valley and mountains may occur tonight and Saturday. Overrunning of precipitation will occur over mainly the northern half of the Sacramento valley and surrounding mountains Saturday night through Sunday night but will gradually increase in intensity Sunday and Sunday night.

Monday and Monday night is when the next cold front will move through the region bringing another decent storm to the area. Not as big and windy as the last one but a good rain event with maybe wind advisory level winds for the valley on Monday.

At the back end of the system snow levels will lower maybe into the foothills depending on the model. Tuesday will mostly be showers for the valley with rain and snow intensities tapering during the day over the western slopes.

Depending on the timing of how the system moves through the region Tuesday could be a good thunderstorm potential day.

Extended discussion (Tuesday through Friday)

Significant snowfall expected to continue Tuesday across the northern Sierra, with showers elsewhere, as the upper trough moves through. Precipitation forecast to taper off by early Wednesday.

Behind that system, ensembles are in agreement in amplifying the pattern along the West Coast as upstream ridging builds over the eastern Pacific as the downstream trough digs into the Southwest.

Generally dry weather with milder daytime temperatures, chilly nights and locally breezy north winds expected, though EC ensemble brings a stronger short-wave down from the north on Friday which could bring some showers to the northern Sierra.