The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a forecast that anticipates near-normal temperatures and dry conditions to continue across the region through early this week. According to the National Weather Service's latest update, light winds and clear skies are expected to persist into Tuesday, with Valley highs in the 80s and 60s to 70s at higher elevations.
However, a shift in the weather is projected to start midweek as a trough from the Gulf of Alaska moves towards Northern California. The incoming system is expected to bring a drop in temperatures on Wednesday, with Valley highs dipping into the mid to high 70s. "The biggest concern with the overall system is its track from north to south along California, and into the Great Basin," the National Weather Service reports.
An official Fire Weather Watch has been declared for the Valley and Delta regions from Thursday morning through Saturday evening. The Weather Service has indicated probabilities for wind gusts reaching 30 mph or higher at 50 to 75% for these areas on Friday and Saturday, and minimum daytime relative humidities could fall between 10 and 25%.
By the weekend, conditions are expected to be particularly concerning, with gusts up to 40 mph in the Valley, and even reaching 50 mph in the Delta. The National Weather Service specifies, "Strongest winds are expected to occur along the western edge of the Valley, as well as in the Delta." Amid these conditions, the National Blend of Models (NBM) predicts daytime relative humidities could teeter between 10 to 25% in the affected regions, exacerbating the fire risk.
As the low-pressure system moves south toward the Great Basin, conditions should stabilize by Sunday with slightly higher daytime humidity. The National Weather Service forecasts temperatures returning to normal, with valley highs in the high 70s to low 80s and highs in higher elevations ranging from the 50s to low 70s into early next week.
