Sacramento residents can look forward to a period of calm before a change in weather pattern next week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Sacramento. The latest forecast indicates that while the weekend will hold seasonable temperatures, the region should brace for unsettled weather, including the possibility of precipitation and gusty winds, starting early next week.
The area is currently experiencing a ridge pattern that will maintain stable conditions through tomorrow afternoon. A weak shortwave trough is on the horizon, though it has been trending weaker with each update and is expected to have minimal effects, keeping temperatures seasonable. Valley temperatures will hover in the high 60s through Sunday, with highs ranging from the 40s to 60s in higher elevations. However, a stronger second trough is anticipated to move over the area on Sunday night, bringing less than a quarter inch of rain in most of the Valley and up to an inch in the northern foothills and mountains. Snowfall is 35-60% likely in areas above 6000 feet, where 3 inches or more may accumulate, though there is some disagreement on impacts moving into early next week.
Cooler-than-usual temperatures are expected, with highs in the Valley around the high 50s to low 60s. Gusty south to southwest winds are expected on Monday, particularly in the Delta and the mountains, as mentioned by the NWS Sacramento.
Precipitation may persist into Tuesday over Northern California's interior, after which conditions could dry out somewhat due to upper ridging. Drier weather is expected as the region falls under this pattern, although an upstream baroclinic zone will make slow progress. Rainfall is likely to return by Wednesday afternoon, primarily over the Coastal Range and W Shasta Mountains, with chances of precipitation spreading across the area on Wednesday night into Thursday. However, increasing model uncertainty in wave progression midweek could affect the forecast for the end of the week, with the NBM favoring wetter weather on Friday. Temperatures are expected to remain below average through the extended forecast period.
For the next 24 hours, VFR conditions are expected over interior Northern California, with surface winds remaining mainly below 12 knots, ensuring a relatively clear period for aviators before the impending changes.