As the winter season progresses, Sacramento residents should anticipate the constant morning fog to last until Saturday. According to the most recent report, the fog may limit visibility to only two miles in some areas, although it should clear as the day warms.
According to the National Weather Service Sacramento CA, drivers should exercise additional caution in the early hours, particularly between Highway 99 and Interstate 5, where visibility is expected to decrease below 1 mile by 30% to 50%.
Despite the gloomy start, the region is expected to see a little increase in temperatures, with highs in the 60s to low 70s over the Delta, Valley, and foothills, according to the National Weather Service morning report. The Sierra regions, on the other hand, will experience colder temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the low 60s.
Looking ahead into the coming days, “A progressive shortwave trough moving from the Pacific Northwest toward the Plains this weekend into next week will begin to push the amplified ridge eastward on Saturday,” with the forecast predicting a return to early December normals and an increase in north-east winds.
By Sunday, these winds may kick up even more as part of the weather system that will pass over the Pacific Northwest, causing gusts of up to 40 mph in some spots.
Monday appears to have a larger possibility of such gusts, notably “20% to 40% along and west of Interstate 5 and along high elevations of the Sierra,” according to the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion. These conditions require cautious observation, particularly for individuals with outside plans or operations that may be impacted by severe winds.
The extended prediction, which runs from Tuesday to Friday, indicates stability returning to the area as the trough moves eastward. According to the National Weather Service, this period will see “near-normal high temperatures of mid-50s to low 60s across the Delta, Valley, and foothills, and mid-40s to low 50s at higher elevations.”
While this provides a sense of normalcy, there is anticipation of changes as the week goes on, including a potential deepening trough from the Gulf of Alaska, which could shift the weather back into a more impactful phase by the end of next week.
Regarding aviation travel, the National Weather Service predicts local MVFR and maybe IFR conditions in BR/FG through 18Z Friday in the Southern Sacramento and Northern San Joaquin valleys. Otherwise, VFR conditions are forecast across inland NorCal in the next 24 hours, with surface winds remaining typically below 12 knots. However, in the northern and eastern foothills and mountains, gusts could exceed 30 kts. Pilots should remain attentive and consult the most recent aviation forecasts before flights.