Red flag warning goes up for Northern California this week, power shutoffs possible
The Sacramento Valley is under a red flag warning for dangerous fire weather Wednesday and Thursday, the National Weather Service announced.
The warning for gusty winds and low humidity was issued Monday and will be in effect from 11 a.m. Wednesday through 5 p.m. Thursday. The warning applies to areas north of Sacramento County, including south-central Shasta County, portions of Glenn and Colusa counties, Butte County below 1,000 feet, Sutter and Yuba counties below 1,000 feet and parts of Yolo County, including Woodland and Davis.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. also warned that wildfire conditions could trigger Public Safety Power Shutoffs in parts of its territory. PG&E has identified elevated shutoff risk Wednesday and Thursday in Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama and Yolo counties.
The weather service forecasts north winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph, strongest along the western Sacramento Valley. It also forecasts daytime humidity levels of 9% to 15%, with overnight relative humidity levels of 25% to 50%.
The combination of gusty winds, low humidity and warm temperatures could cause fires to grow rapidly in size and intensity, the weather service warned.
The highest fire threat is projected along and west of the Interstate 5 corridor in the Sacramento Valley. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor burning, according to the weather service.
A prolonged stretch of hot weather is expected to settle over Northern California beginning Wednesday, with temperatures climbing into the triple digits across the Sacramento Valley and remaining there through the weekend.
Temperatures to remain high through weekend
In Redding, highs are forecast to rise from 96 degrees Wednesday to 103 degrees Thursday before peaking at 106 degrees Friday and Saturday, according to the weather service. Temperatures are expected to remain elevated Sunday, with a high near 104 degrees.
Sacramento is expected to follow a similar pattern, though slightly cooler. Forecasters predict a high of 97 degrees Wednesday, followed by highs of 102 degrees Thursday and Friday. Temperatures are expected to ease slightly over the weekend, reaching 99 degrees Saturday and 97 degrees Sunday.
Overnight temperatures will offer limited relief in Redding, where lows are forecast to remain in the upper 60s to low 70s through the weekend. Sacramento lows are expected to range from the upper 50s to mid-60s.
Forecasters expect dry, sunny conditions to persist through the weekend, with little chance for cooling until early next week.
