Sacramento, California – Northern California is expected to experience a hotter and somewhat more active weather pattern between July 23 and July 27, with above-normal temperatures expanding across inland valleys while increasing monsoonal moisture brings isolated showers and thunderstorms to the mountains and interior. While widespread rainfall is not expected, storms that develop could produce dangerous lightning, localized heavy rainfall and gusty winds, especially across the Sierra Nevada and higher elevations.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, in its 6-10 Day Outlook issued July 17, northern California is favored to experience above-normal temperatures during the July 23-27 period. The region is also included in an area favoring above-normal precipitation, reflecting an increase in monsoonal moisture capable of producing isolated to scattered thunderstorms over portions of the interior.
In Sacramento, temperatures are expected to climb above seasonal averages as high pressure strengthens across the western United States. Afternoon highs are likely to reach well into the 90s and could approach the triple digits on some days, while overnight temperatures remain warmer than normal. Most of the Sacramento Valley should stay dry, although clouds may increase later in the day as moisture spreads northward from the Desert Southwest.
Farther north, Redding is expected to experience even hotter conditions, with temperatures rising well above average through much of the period. Afternoon heating combined with increasing atmospheric moisture could spark isolated thunderstorms over nearby mountains before drifting into surrounding foothills. Some storms may produce brief heavy rainfall, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and gusty, erratic winds. Lightning outside of heavier rain cores could also increase wildfire concerns in areas with dry vegetation.
The warmer pattern is expected to extend across northern California, including Chico, Yuba City, Auburn, Red Bluff, Mount Shasta, Susanville and communities along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. The greatest potential for thunderstorms is expected over the Sierra, southern Cascades and higher terrain of far northern California, while coastal communities should remain somewhat cooler because of persistent Pacific marine influences.
Although the Climate Prediction Center outlook does not pinpoint the exact timing or location of individual thunderstorms, confidence continues to increase that northern California will remain in a warmer-than-normal and somewhat wetter-than-normal pattern through July 27. Residents planning hiking, camping or travel into mountain areas should monitor National Weather Service forecasts closely, as afternoon thunderstorms may develop quickly and produce lightning, localized flash flooding and sudden changes in weather conditions.
