Batten down the hatches, Sacramento, the weather's cranking up the heat with above-normal temperatures this week, but don't fling your fall clothes too far into the back of the closet. The National Weather Service in Sacramento has rolled out a forecast that predicts a continuation of the sizzling summer. Expect afternoon highs reaching the mid 90s to low 100s in the Valley, with areas splashed with Moderate HeatRisk through tomorrow. The mercury won’t climb as high in the foothills and mountains, sticking to a more manageable mid 70s to mid 90s, as reported by NWS Sacramento.
Prepare for the pleasing breeze that will be our afternoon companion, strongest fittingly in the Delta with gusts clocking in at 15-25 MPH. While the winds may grant some solace, they can't hold a candle to the low humidities squeezing us dry—relative humidity levels hanging around 10 to 20 percent over the Valley and foothills. Carrying weekend plans, the weather will dole out a smidgen of mercy with slightly cooler temps as an upper-level low takes a jaunt over Northern California, ushering in a reprieve from the heat just in time for our Labor Day gatherings.
Looking further ahead, there's a heat encore on the docket for next week. The forecast from NWS Sacramento indicates a comeback of triple-digit temperatures as a ridge reinforces itself over the region. The heat isn't content with a solo; it's bringing dry conditions back for a duet, with afternoon humidity playing the unwelcome tune of 10-20%. Expect the reprise of widespread Moderate HeatRisk, and if the sun gods lay it on thick, some locales will dance with Major HeatRisk after mid-week.
In terms of aviation, pilots can look forward to "VFR conditions next 24 hours," with surface wind gusts staying put below 12 knots—except for that swath through the west Delta, where it kicks up to 15-25 knots, as mentioned on NWS. And for those without wings, no watches or warnings are currently stirring on the horizon.
