Sacramento residents can expect a break from the scorching heat as temperatures dip to near normal levels this weekend. Saturday's forecast indicates a cooler day across the valley with a potential high of 85 degrees for many parts and increasing cloud activity leading to isolated showers and thunderstorms, particularly in parts of the northern and central Sacramento Valley by afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
The cooler air comes at a price with "periodically gusty" winds expected, registering in the ballpark of 20 to 30 mph, the National Weather Service reports the chance of these winds exceeding 30 mph stands between 45 to 75 percent, mostly to the north and central valley regions where the probability of showers and thunderstorms is also more pronounced, which is an interesting development considering the arid stretch that had previously befallen the region; and the system is accompanied by a subtle upper-level wave that could enhance storm development, especially along the edge of the Coastal Range with probabilities hovering around 20-40 percent.
As the low-pressure system backs off into early next week, the area is set for a modest temperature increase, with daytime humidity predicted to drop significantly, again to conditions more typical of this time of year. Forecasters anticipate a return to the upper teens and low 20s in terms of relative humidity percentages by Monday.
Looking further ahead, the National Weather Service Sacramento's extended discussion maintains that the blockade pattern caused by the closed low is expected to persist due to strong ridging over the central CONUS through the week, this setup would suggest temperature variations are likely to continue, showing a slight warming trend midweek with highs approaching normal followed by a downtrend towards week's end, yet as the week draws to a close, there is potential for the weather to shift once more as some ensemble forecasts suggest the low might adopt an "inside slider" position which could significantly impact fire weather conditions in the inland areas of Northern California, though for now, dry and periodically breezy conditions are anticipated to carry through the remainder of the week and into the weekend.
In terms of aviation, VFR conditions are projected for the next 24 hours, exceptions being local MVFR conditions near scattered showers or isolated thunderstorms mainly in the Coast Range and Shasta County mountain areas starting from 21Z through about 06Z Sunday, with widespread south to west surface wind gusts around 20-30 knots expected between 18Z Saturday and 03Z Sunday.
