We start this Saturday with another crazy inversion layer, temps will warm through the day, but rain is in the forecast.

The inversion layer has set up around 1000-2500 feet.  This means that warmer air is trapped above the colder air in a narrow band.  As the night progresses the ground cools off, radiating heat back into the atmosphere and allowing the upper atmosphere to stay warm as the ground gets very cold.  This is best shown near Chico, where temperatures were at 21 degrees at 150 feet, but 52 at 1200.  The top of the inversion is indicated by a sharp cooling effect, which can be seen in Magalia.  There are two weather stations in Magalia, one at 2400 and one just under 2600 feet.  At 2400 feet temps are (at the time of writing) 8 degrees warmer than at 2600 feet indicating the top of the inversion is right around 2500 feet.

But enough scientific talk, let’s get to the forecast.  It will be another beautiful day.  It won’t be quite as warm as we’ve seen over the past several, and certainly not as warm as late last week, but we’ll still manage to make it into the mid-60s in the valley which you can’t complain about since it is mid-January.  Our normal highs are running in the mid-50s so this stretch has been much warmer than usual. 

The high pressure which has given us our wonderful weather is slowly eroding.  By Wednesday it will finally break and will allow the first batch of clouds we’ve seen since almost New Years to move in.  I don’t expect much precipitation out of this storm, but a few sprinkles aren’t out of the question.  After that, a weaker and cooler high builds in from the Pacific and will keep us dry, but won’t be strong enough to keep all the storms away.

For up to the minute weather info follow me on Twitter @ColdFrontCarlo and to get in on the conversation “Like” me on Facebook: Meteorologist Carlo Falco.

And be sure to tune in tonight for your full forecast at 5:30, 6:30 and 11, on the KRCR Channel 7 News.