Residents of Sacramento can look forward to a return to warm and dry conditions this week, after a bout of unexpected wet weather. According to a discussion by the National Weather Service Sacramento (NWS), an unseasonably strong low pressure system has now moved eastward into Nevada. This system previously left areas throughout the northern Sierra with as much as 1 inch of rain while dousing the Central Valley with less than a quarter of an inch on Saturday.
The forecast sees temperatures begin to gradually warm up today and return to near-average levels by Monday. As we head further into the week, temperatures are expected to rise even higher; the NWS warns to be prepared for "a little above average" heat. Residents should take note particularly because areas of the valley may encounter "Moderate HeatRisk." With the warmth comes a slight gust of north wind today "with gusts around 15-25 mph possible in the Sacramento Valley, mainly along the western edge," as mentioned by the NWS.
Calm is a relative term when discussing the vagaries of weather, but the extended outlook from Thursday through the coming weekend suggests exactly that. NWS predicts "dry conditions and slightly above-normal temperatures," with potential for a "swath of monsoonal moisture" to make its way northward over the Sierra. While the chance remains low, at 10-15%, there could be "late-day isolated mountain t-storms" around next weekend. For now, the consensus is warmer weather paired with light, breezy conditions.
In terms of aviation, travelers can expect "VFR conditions over the next 24 hours," ensuring clear skies for flights. However, some winds will be making their presence known. Pilots should be aware of north winds gusting "15-20 kts along and west of the I-5 corridor between 15z-20z today; Easterly gusts 15-25 kts over the Sierra (05z-10z Monday)," the NWS advises. For other areas, winds are forecasted to remain below 12 knots. Staying informed on the upcoming weather patterns seems to wholly be the week's mantra–keep a sharp eye on the skies and plan accordingly.
As always, the public is reminded that no watches, warnings, or advisories are in place at this time. Those interested in the most up-to-date information can monitor the NWS website for real-time updates and additional details.
