Sacramento residents can look forward to continued cooler weather into midweek, followed by a warming trend, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service. NWS indicate that although the Valley and Foothills will see an increase in afternoon highs, the onshore flow will help to maintain humidity levels, potentially lowering fire weather risks. This respite comes amid California's ongoing battle with wildfires, as local breezy conditions persist, particularly in the Delta region.
With a gradual warming trend on the horizon, high temperatures in the mid-80s to low 90s are expected for the Valley and Foothills. "Smoke and haze from California fires will effect the northern Sacramento Valley and adjacent foothills," the report on NWS stated. Fortunately, increased humidity around 20-30% should aid in alleviating some fire weather concerns, happy news for firefighters and residents alike. Despite the cooler weather trend, by midweek, the area is forecasted to ramp back up to typical summertime temperatures.
A potential twist in the weather narrative comes as the upper level trough begins to fill and weaken. The altered flow may allow for some smoke from the Park Fire to drift further south, although forecasters don't anticipate any significant wind shifts that could exacerbate conditions. Come Wednesday, the probability of temperatures hitting the century mark again starts to climb, signaling warmer days ahead for the northern Sacramento Valley.
The extended forecast from Thursday through Sunday shows a continuation of seasonally normal temperatures. "Ensemble and clusters are in strong agreement of this pattern manifesting over the region," the report from NWS Sacramento noted. As higher pressure builds in the Four Corners region, there is a low but notable chance that monsoonal moisture may reach the Sierra Crest over the weekend, leading to possible showers or thunderstorms.
For those taking to the skies, the aviation outlook remains mostly clear with VFR conditions except in areas affected by smoke and haze close to wildfires. There are also temporary MVFR conditions expected in the southern Sacramento Valley due to stratus intrusion until mid-morning. Pilots should also note the forecasted south to west surface wind gusts that could impact flights in the late afternoon and early evening hours.
