Area forecast discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento California
256 PM PDT Sat may 25 2013
Short term discussion...
A broad trough of low pressure continues over the West Coast
this weekend. A weak shortwave will round the base of the trough
and deepen into northern California tonight. Moist flow with the
low deepening may result in some showers over the northern
mountains late this afternoon and overnight. Cool northwest flow
will also continue to keep temperatures mostly in the 70s for the
valley this weekend with 50s and 60s in the mountains for daytime
highs.
A stronger shortwave near 150w will move over the region on
Monday and Monday night and will likely bring some showers to the
valley and some mountain rain. This system looks like it may
start to produce some showers Monday morning for the mountains
mainly north of I-80 and the north end of the valley. For the
afternoon rain will be likely for west slopes with chances
of showers developing for the Sacramento area. The best chances
of precipitation for the Sacramento area and places south in the
valley will occur Monday night.
Some lingering chances of showers will persist on Tuesday and
mainly for the western slopes...but for the most part the system
will have passed through the region with only some residual
showers in its wake remaining. Not a lot of rain is expected from
this system within the valley with amounts ranging from trace
to less than a tenth of an inch...while the mountains should fair
a little better with amounts ranging from one quarter to three
quarters of an inch of rain. Some light snow accumulations will be
possible Monday night above 8000 feet.
Extended discussion (wednesday through saturday)
Unsettled weather continues Wednesday and Thursday as our region
is sandwiched between a trough to the northeast and high pressure
to the southwest. Lingering showers on these days will generally
be across the foothills and mountains as well in portions of the
Central Valley north of Interstate 80. Precipitation will taper
off during the day on Thursday. Temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday will
still be about 5-10 degrees below normal but the region will
undergo a warming trend from Wednesday into the weekend. Temperatures
in the middle to upper 80s for the valley and 60s for the mountains
by Friday which is slightly above normal. The trough will shift eastward
enough by Friday that we expect dry weather for Friday and
Saturday. Jbb
&&
Aviation...
VFR conditions continue today at taf sites. Clouds moving in
this afternoon and evening as a weak wave moves across far norcal.
Expect a slight chance of afternoon/evening showers over the
northern mountains. Winds generally 5 to 15 knots at taf sites
with occasional gusts 15-25 kts when the Delta breeze peaks today
between 22-03z. Light to moderate west to southwest winds over
ridgetops. Jbb
&&
Sto watches/warnings/advisories...
none.
&&
$$
