SACRAMENTO, Calif — Northern California is about to be plunged back into winter-like conditions after the warmest temperatures of the year so far.
Sacramento reached 80 degrees for the first time this year Tuesday. The average first 80-degree day since 1990 is March 28, so it took a while to get to 80 this year compared to average.
Wednesday also reached the 80s and Thursday will as well before an incoming low pressure system cools things down.
High temperatures Friday will be 10-15 degrees cooler than Thursday but will be about average for this time of year. A high of 70 is forecast for Sacramento, which is only a degree below normal.
Saturday will be a very chilly day. A cold front is expected to pass through very early Saturday morning, so it appears likely the high temperature will occur before sunrise Saturday morning. Temperatures at the time will be in the 50s and will drop into the 40s after the front passes. Afternoon temperatures will likely rebound into the 50s but the cloud cover and periods of gusty winds will make for a cold April day.
Rainfall will begin Saturday morning thanks to the cold front sweeping across Northern California, continuing throughout the day. A few showers are possible late Friday night before the arrival of the front and Sunday as the storm exits.
Precipitation totals have trended up with this system and 0.5-1” is expected late Friday through Saturday. Around 1-2" is expected in the foothills and Sierra locations below the snowline.
Thunderstorms are possible Friday and Saturday due to cold temperatures aloft and abundant moisture in the lower levels of the atmosphere.
Snow levels will be on the higher side but will quickly drop throughout Saturday, beginning at 7,000-8,000 feet and ending at 4,000-5,000 feet by Saturday night. Snow impacts are expected to be on the lower side with this storm system but still prepare for travel delays and chain controls.
Northern California will be on the backside of the low pressure system by Monday and a few days of north winds are expected. It will be a dry, pleasant week other than periods of gusty northerly winds.