As forecasters at the National Weather Service in Sacramento looked toward the incoming week, they predicted that a shift in weather patterns will end the current dry streak. According to the report by NWS Sacramento, residents can enjoy clear skies and cozy temperature ranges until the workweek resumes. Northern Californians can expect the mercury to hover in the mid-60s to low 70s in the Valley and a chillier 50s to 60s at higher elevations through Sunday.
The NWS Sacramento's report suggests the weather's about to take a turn for the active, starting with a closed low expected to brush through southern California on Monday. Though the impacts are projected to be minimal, with "less than an inch of snow and generally less than 0.10 inches of rain," as the report states, it's the beginning of a wetter, perhaps wilder narrative for the week ahead. From Tuesday through Friday, a more aggressive weather system is forecasted to swipe through, heralding moderate to heavy rain, mountain snow, and the potential for far-reaching transit disturbances.
There's a technical sort of poetry in the precision of snowfall projections and the probability of precipitation. Numbers and percentages dance through the forecast as the NWS shares its predictions: come midweek, there's a "60 to 90% chance of 5 feet of snow or more above 5000 feet over 72 hours from I-80 northward". Below the snow line in the valleys, chances of receiving 2 inches of rain or more linger around "15 to 45% in the central and southern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Valleys" with higher likelihoods further north.
Wind speeds are slated to perk up significantly. The forecast includes a "50 to 85% chance of wind gusts over 40 mph in the Valley and foothills, and a 50 to 75% chance of gusts over 55 mph in the mountains." VFR conditions are expected for aviation tomorrow, but a change is coming mid-week with strong gusts, as per the National Weather Service.
As the weekend ends, Northern Californians should get ready for a week of changing weather typical of early spring. There are no advisories yet, but the NWS is closely monitoring conditions.
