SACRAMENTO, Calif —
An extended period of above average temperatures is expected starting Tuesday thanks to a ridge of high pressure settling over the region.
The first half of April was chilly across Northern California. Sacramento clocked in at an average temperature of 2 degrees below average through April 15. The warmer weather this week will help bump this number closer to average.
The map below from Iowa State University shows while most of the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains has been warmer than normal this month, the Western U.S. has been cool thanks to persistent low pressure systems bringing cool and wet weather.
California is set to transition to a warm and dry pattern continue through the extended forecast. High temperatures in the valley will be in the mid to upper 70s Tuesday, upper 70s to around 80 Wednesday, and low 80s Thursday. Highs will hover around 80 through the weekend. The average high in Sacramento for this time of year is 73-74 degrees, so it isn’t too warmer than normal. In the foothills, expect highs in the 70s and 60s for the Sierra.
There are signs low pressure systems could return to California in late April. The Climate Prediction Center favors both cooler and wetter conditions in the 8-14 day outlook. Warmer than normal weather is favored for most of the country.
In terms of water storage, California is in great shape and any additional storms rolling through the state will be the cherry on top as a second consecutive above-average wet season wraps up.