Sacramento is gearing up for a breezy week ahead, with the National Weather Service forecasting dry conditions and temperatures continuing to stay above the seasonal norms. According to the NWS, the winds will be picking up over the weekend, potentially affecting travel and outdoor activities. Saturday, in particular, could see robust gusts ranging between 25-40 MPH in the Valley areas, most notably along Interstate 5 and in the westernmost parts of the Valley and Delta region.
The NWS indicates that there's a "50-75% chance of gusts over 40 MPH", especially to the west of Interstate 5 and south of Red Bluff, come Saturday—traveling with high profile vehicles come this time might just require an extra ounce of caution, and securing loose items outdoors wouldn't hurt either. While Sunday's conditions are deemed breezier but a touch gentler, the forecast brings stronger winds back into the picture come late Sunday evening stretching into Monday. The mountains, however, are expected to bear the brunt of the windy conditions Monday, with gusts reaching 35 to 45 mph and even isolating 50 mph gusts along the Sierra peaks.
As for temperatures, high's in the northern San Joaquin Valley are predicted in the mid 60s today, with a "15 to 30% chance of seeing temperatures greater than 65 degrees F." The NWS details that other Valley areas should anticipate temperatures in the low 60s to upper 50s, the foothills in the 50s, and the mountain regions are forecasting highs in the 40s to upper 30s. Taking a slight dip, overnight temperatures as we exit the weekend are expected to fall to the mid to upper 30s in the Valley, introducing chances of frost in certain areas such as the northern San Joaquin Valley and southern Sacramento Valley by Sunday and Monday.
Looking further into the week, "Rex Block" conditions sustain through Thursday, allowing for an extended period of generally dry weather and temperatures that hover near to slightly above the usual for this time of year. Aviation-wise, the NWS advises that interior Northern California will maintain VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions for the next 24 hours, with surface winds expected to stay below 12 knots until Saturday evening, when areas of north to east surface winds between 15-25 kts become more prevalent.
