A milder weather pattern returned as of Thursday, keeping Northern California highs closer to average during the afternoons.
Temperatures will begin to warm as the weekend approaches, but the main focus for the next few days is on a large heat event as we begin July.
Here’s what’s changing
Starting Sunday, temperatures begin to warm with many in the Sacramento Valley reaching for the upper 90s and a few triple digits. This will be the beginning of what’s expected to be a hot first week of July.
On Monday, a strong ridge of high pressure starts to build off the coast of California, expanding eastward and strengthening through the week.
As the ridge builds, heat increases as air sinks and compresses, leaving behind the potential for multiple days of triple-digit heat for the valley. The closer the ridge of high pressure is to California, the greater the chances of very hot temperatures region-wide.
As of Thursday, models are keeping the strong ridge in place through the 4th of July. This means could be holding on to temperatures ranging from 100-110 degrees through the majority of the workweek and holiday weekend.