textproduct: Sacramento

KEY MESSAGES

- Warmer and more seasonable temperatures today through July 4th, followed by a gradual cooling trend.

- Slight chance (5-15%) for isolated mountain thunderstorms today in the Sierra, primarily south of I-80, today through Monday.

DISCUSSION

Mostly clear conditions prevail this morning across NorCal. Broad upper-level troughing with overall zonal heights aloft are allowing for slightly weaker onshore flow. Current pattern will bring in the possibility of afternoon/evening thunderstorms in the Sierra today through Monday, with a general 5-15% chance and best chances mainly south of I-80. Troughing expected to break down slowly and move east throughout the weekend, allowing for ridging developing in the desert southwest which will help bring in slightly warmer high temperatures today and for Independence Day.

Triple-digit heat is expected for portions of the northern Sacramento Valley for July 4th, with areas of Moderate HeatRisk. Elsewhere in the Valley, mid to upper 90s, with Minor HeatRisk. Regardless of the HeatRisk, if you are planning on any outdoor activities for Independence Day be sure to drink plenty of water, apply sunscreen, and always wear a life jacket if you are on area waterways! For evening/night events, temperatures at 8PM PDT will be cooling as the sun sets. Except mostly clear conditions with temperatures in the low to mid 80s in Delta Breeze influenced areas with warmer, low to mid 90s in the northern Sacramento Valley. Similar conditions are expected tomorrow evening/night around 8PM, but Delta Breeze influenced areas will be slightly cooler with temperatures around 70-76, mid 80s in the rest of the Valley, and mid to upper 90s still lingering in the northern Sacramento Valley. Lastly, please remember to practice fire safety by adhering to local and state burn bans, firework laws, properly discarding matches/cigarettes, not driving over dry grass, and report any new fires to 9-1-1.

Into next week, broad troughing is expected to redevelop offshore, thanks to an upper low in the Gulf of Alaska. We will see our high temperatures cool once again, to slightly below seasonal normals. Onshore flow is expected to become a little stronger, helping mitigate the temperatures and keep air moving through the CWA. We will keep afternoon/evening t-storm chances in the Sierra through Monday. Overall, Minor HeatRisk with slightly cooler than normal temperatures are forecast through most of next week.

AVIATION

VFR conditions are expected over the next 24 hours. Southwest to west wind gusts 15 to 25 kts in the Delta and over the Sierra Crest. South to southwest winds in the Sacramento Valley (northwest in the northern SJ Valley). Gusts from 10 to 20 kts from 22Z Friday to 08Z Saturday in the southern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Valleys, otherwise gusts less than 12 kts everywhere in the Valley.

STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.