High pressure continues to block storms from entering California. The next 3 days will have mostly sunny skies with light winds and daytime temperatures in the lower 60s. However, a major change is on the way. When you look at this morning’s satellite picture you can see the high pressure area has begin shifting northward. By this weekend the high will be well to the north of its normal position and this will allow the jet stream to split with a portion of it coming under the high and into the west coast.
The northerly flow on the east side of the high will push a very cold arctic air mass southward into the western U.S. Where these two jet streams merge usually results in major winter storms. The other problem is how far back to the west will the arctic air be pushed. The map attached below is the same comparison map I showed yesterday. This map is from last night’s model run and the models are not in as good agreement. The U.S. model would keep the main storms and cold air east of California, while the European model would bring the dynamics right over our area with record cold temps and eventually, when the remnants of an old tropic storm reached the coast, a major snow storm. The one thing the models agree on is that starting Sunday our weather will turn cold with at least light precipitation and very low snow levels.
click image to enlarge
click image to enlarge
Weather Outlook for Redding, Anderson, Cottonwood and Red Bluff
Thursday: Mostly sunny. Max temps 61 to 66. Min temps 32 to 39.
Friday: Sunny. Max temps 60 to 65. Min temps 33 to 41.
Saturday: Sunny with some afternoon cloudiness. Max temps 55 to 60. Min temps 38 to 44.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Max temp 48 to 53. Min temp 29 to 36. Wind becoming northerly 10 to 20 mph.
Monday: Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Snow level 1500 feet. Max temps 41 to 48. Min temps 26 to 35.
Until next time, ‘the Old Forecaster’ …
Chris Fontana-a.k.a “the Old Forecaster” started his career as a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Sacramento. After four years as a weather officer in the USAF he transferred to the NWS office in Redding. He was the meteorologist in charge of the Redding office from 1976 until it closed in 1996. From 1996 until his retirement in 2005 he was the meteorologist in charge of the USFS Predictive Service Unit. Chris and his wife Jane have been married over 40 years and he works as a window covering installer in her business, Westwood Window Coverings.
