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Northern California Stays Unusually Cool While Sierra Dry Storms Raise Fire Risk

A stalled cutoff low is driving dry lightning threats in the Sierra with red flag warnings in effect ahead of a weekend warming trend

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Overview

  • Daytime highs across much of the Sacramento Valley remain up to 10 °F below normal, with most inland readings stuck in the 80s
  • Counterclockwise flow around a cutoff low is fueling daily Sierra thunderstorms that can produce hail, gusty winds and frequent lightning
  • The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings in the Trinity Alps, Klamath Mountains and southern Cascades due to the danger of dry lightning igniting wildfires
  • A persistent marine layer reinforced by high pressure over the Gulf of Alaska and Four Corners continues to sustain the cool pattern and strong Delta Breezes
  • Forecasts show the current low clearing by Sunday to allow valley highs into the low 90s next week, followed by another cutoff low forming offshore by midweek