NorCal Forecast: Bright and Breezy End to Week

Northerly winds are picking up behind the weather system that brought a few showers to the summits yesterday.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Wind gusts will be noticeable across the Sacramento Valley starting Thursday morning, with sustained winds of 15-20 mph and gusts up to 30+ mph expected through the day and into Friday. The breezy conditions are due to a weather system moving across the Rockies, with high pressure building off the Eastern Pacific helping to funnel the north winds down the Valley.

Why it matters

The strong winds could impact travel, outdoor activities, and power lines in the region. Residents should be prepared for blustery conditions through the end of the week.

The details

According to the forecast, the northerly winds will start to pick up on Thursday morning, with sustained winds of 10-16 mph in the Sacramento area and 12-14 mph in the Stockton/Modesto region. By midday, the sustained winds will increase to 15-20 mph and continue at that pace through the afternoon and evening hours. The wind gusts will also ramp up, with some areas like Colusa, Winters, and Fairfield potentially seeing gusts over 30 mph overnight and into Friday.

  • The winds will start to pick up on Thursday morning.
  • By midday on Thursday, the sustained winds will increase to 15-20 mph and continue through the afternoon and evening.
  • The wind gusts will also increase, with some areas potentially seeing gusts over 30 mph overnight and into Friday.
  • The breezy conditions are expected to continue through Saturday, before easing on Sunday as the weather system moves out of the region.

The players

Sacramento Valley

The region in Northern California that will be impacted by the breezy conditions.

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The takeaway

Residents in the Sacramento Valley should be prepared for a blustery end to the week, with strong northerly winds and gusty conditions that could impact travel, outdoor activities, and power lines. The winds are expected to ease by Sunday as the weather system moves out of the region.