Sacramento is expecting windier than usual weather next week. Starting Monday night, breezy conditions will peak on Tuesday, with gusts reaching up to 60 MPH in the Sierra. While the impact should be minor, it's a heads-up for those out in the open or at higher elevations.
As for the fog that's been hanging around the Southern Sacramento and Northern San Joaquin Valleys, looks like it's going for another round in the morning. The NWS reports a "'40-75% chance of visibilities lower than a quarter mile from midnight to 10 AM this morning." But hang tight; light winds in the forecast should hold off until later, letting that fog dissipate as the day wears on. Residents should be mindful of potential visibility issues during these early hours, especially those hitting the roads.
The NWS suggests battening down the hatches, or better yet, bringing them in before the strong Tuesday winds. Gusty winds may cause issues for "loose outdoor objects such as holiday decoration and create difficult driving conditions for high profile vehicles," according to the NWS forecast. This wind event seems to precede a period of dry weather, with a gradual warming trend expected to usher us further into January, with Valley temperatures creeping up to the low 60s.
As we look to the latter part of the week, it's a similar story on the wind front. The NWS anticipates breezy conditions to continue, with the National Blend of Models forecasting "a 35-65% chance (Up to 90% over the Sierra) of wind gusts of 30 mph or greater mid to late next week and into the weekend." The affected regions include areas mainly along and west of Interstate 5 in the Valley, foothills, and mountain areas. Despite the gusty interruptions, no rain is on the horizon, so keep the umbrellas stashed away for now.
For those who pilot the skies, visual flight rules might get a bit tricky with the persisting fog. The NWS has identified areas in the central and southern Sacramento Valleys, Delta, and northern San Joaquin Valley that could experience lowered visibility, with a "50 to 70% chance of visibilities less than 1/2 mile." Pilots should prep for potential MVFR/IFR/LIFR conditions through the fog's expected duration. Otherwise, conditions look clear across interior Northern California, with "VFR conditions prevail across interior NorCal," assures the NWS forecast.
For the latest weather updates, follow NWS Sacramento's bulletins. Stay informed on any advisories or changes in conditions.
