This morning is starting out clear and cool, with a low so far of 44° and has been running about 3° warmer than 24 hours ago. Surface high pressure over the Pacific Northwest and low pressure over western Nevada has created a pressure gradient and increased the northerly air flow. This has brought some gusty north winds to California, mainly in the valley areas so far. Winds have been generally light in the foothills, but may increase later this morning into tonight. Only a few high clouds at times are expected for today, with mostly sunny skies predicted.

After a day of warmth on Wednesday, temperatures are expected to drop a little from yesterday's high of 66°. The high this afternoon is forecast to reach about 64° in upper Magalia, and the low tonight near 41°. The normal temperatures for this time of year is 57°/33°.

Friday should see the ridge of high pressure centered over the east Pacific drift to the east as an upper trough of low pressure drops out of the Gulf of Alaska and into the Pacific Northwest. Magalia may see the tail-end of the system bring a threat of rain showers to the area by late in the day or Friday night. Precipitation odds rise to 20% by late Friday afternoon into Friday night. The high temperature on Friday is forecast to reach about 60° and a low Friday night near 36°. The snow level on Friday is forecast to remain above 6700'.

Saturday may see the 20% precipitation chance continue into the noontime hour, but very little in the way of rainfall is expected with this system as most of the energy should remain over the Pacific Northwest. Rainfall odds lower to 15% by mid-afternoon into the night. Temperatures are expected to drop on Saturday as a cold surge from the north spreads over the region. The high temperature on Saturday afternoon is only expected to reach 51° and the low Saturday night near 33°.

Next week may see a lull in the precipitation Monday into Tuesday morning, but the next weather system out of the north may begin to increase the rain (and snow) chances by late Tuesday. Rain and snow odds increase to 40% by Wednesday morning, with a snow level predicted to be near upper Magalia at that time. The snow level is also predicted to lower to near 2300' by late Wednesday afternoon, if the current forecast model holds true. Have a good Thursday. Bob Vincent