Strong winds fan North State's fire risk: Weather outlook for the week
Even with chilly weather settling in, dry windy weather is increasing fire risk throughout the North State this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Starting Saturday morning, strong gusty north winds will further dry out already-brittle vegetation, making it easier for fire to spread if it starts, Sacramento weather service meteorologist Nathan Rick said.
Those winds and dry conditions prompted the weather service’s Sacramento branch to issue a red flag warning for high fire danger throughout the Sacramento Valley, in effect from 5 a.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday. The warning covers areas north of Shasta Lake to south of Sacramento, into the San Joaquin Valley.
Most at risk are places at elevations below 3,000 feet, Rick said.
The weather service also issued a wind advisory through Sunday afternoon in the valley and the mountain areas flanking it, west into Trinity County and east into Burney.
The worst winds will consistently blow at 25 mph from late Saturday into Sunday morning, with gusts up to 35 mph in Shasta County and up to 40 mph to the south of Shasta County, Rick said.
Wind and freezing temperatures chill Siskiyou County
Expect the same strong winds to blow over Siskiyou County this weekend, but with less fire risk, said meteorologist Connie Clarstrom at the weather service’s Medford branch.
“We had a good amount of light rain” off and on over the past two weeks, he said, “especially over western Siskiyou County.” That moisture has kept vegetation from being as dry and flammable as it is south of Mount Shasta, she said.
Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know.
However, a freeze watch may turn into a freeze warning lasting from Friday night into Saturday morning in Yreka and other valley floors in western and central Siskiyou County, Clarstrom said.
Weather next week: Coats over Halloween costumes?
Starting Monday, winds will stay calm as fire danger drops to moderate levels in most of the North State, according to early weather service predictions.
There might even be some rain coming on Thursday and Friday, Clarstrom and Rick said.
But the hot summer weather is kaput and autumn is here to stay awhile.
Trick-or-treaters take note: Temperatures around 6 p.m. on Halloween will reach the high 50s to low 60s in most of Shasta County, and get to the mid- to high 50s in Siskiyou County, according to Rick and Clarstrom.
More: Why you're smelling smoke in Redding, Shasta Lake
This weekend and next week in Redding, temperatures are expected to continue dropping into the high 30s and low 40s before dawn. Afternoons should warm to 66 on Saturday, reaching into the low- to mid 70s next week through Nov. 3.
In eastern Shasta County around Burney, nighttime temperatures could drop to 17 on Saturday and into the mid- to upper 20s throughout the week. Afternoons will warm into the 50s on most days, but will reach the low 60s on Tuesday.
From Saturday throughout next week, expect early morning temperatures into the 20s to freeze Mount Shasta and Yreka, except on Tuesday morning when the mercury should hover around 34 degrees. Afternoons could warm to the high 50s and low 60s.
Rains predicted later in the week may freeze into ice at night in the mountains, Rick said, so watch your step when you leave home Friday morning.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Strong winds increase fire danger in Redding, Sacramento Valley
