Normal high/ low temperatures for March 29-April 5 (high/low) Redding 69/45, Chico 70/43, Quincy 60/31, Chester 55/27, Susanville 57/30, Grass Valley 60/37, Weaverville 64/33, Mt. Shasta 58/31, Yreka 61/32, Alturas 57/27
This blog will be issued every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday morning and updated if the weather is changing or critical or interesting weather events are occurring.
High pressure is still off the coast. A low pressure area and frontal system are moving through Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Today will be mostly sunny and temperatures will continue above normal. Gusty north winds will move into the area during the day.
Tuesday through Thursday skies will be clear and daytime temperatures will be 8 to 12 degrees above normal. Gusty north winds will continue through midday Wednesday.
Friday and Saturday a low pressure trough will begin to develop or deepen off the west coast (see map below). Temperatures Friday and Saturday will slowly cool with light to moderate south winds in the afternoon.
It is not uncommon to see differences in the forecast models in the 7 to 10 day forecast period. What is interesting in this case is for the past 3 to 4 days the models have had a very consistent difference. The European model splits the offshore trough and keeps a relatively strong portion off the coast through early next week. The GFS (US) model splits the trough and moves a weak portion through Sunday and Monday. We will hope the European is correct but expect something closer to the GFS. Look for light rain or scattered showers Sunday and Monday. Snow levels above 6000 feet.
The Old Forecaster