Windy Thursday Ahead as Northern California Braces for Potential Rain Next Week

Gusts up to 35 mph expected today, with a drier and warmer weekend before rain chances return early next week.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:36am

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a rural, mountainous region under the influence of strong, swirling winds, with any physical structures or objects dwarfed by the dramatic, sublime scale of the natural elements.The impending storm system looms large over the Northern California landscape, a reminder of nature's raw power and the region's ever-changing weather patterns.Today in Sacramento

A windy Thursday is in store for Northern California, with winds ranging from 15-25 mph and gusts up to 35 mph. The strong winds will continue into the evening, but are expected to relax overnight and into Friday morning, dropping to a more manageable 5-10 mph by Friday afternoon. The weekend looks dry with a mix of clouds and sun, and temperatures in the mid-70s. However, the beginning of the workweek could bring rain, with the earliest chance arriving as soon as Monday afternoon and the latest by Tuesday afternoon.

Why it matters

Strong winds can create hazardous conditions, knock down trees and power lines, and make driving difficult. While the weekend looks pleasant, the potential for rain early next week could impact commutes, outdoor activities, and agricultural operations in the region.

The details

The windy conditions are being driven by an area of low pressure moving off to the east, combined with high pressure to the west. This is creating a north wind flow that will persist through Friday morning. By Friday afternoon, the winds are expected to drop significantly, providing a more comfortable end to the workweek. The weekend forecast calls for a mix of clouds and sun, with temperatures in the mid-70s. However, the beginning of the workweek could see rain arrive as early as Monday afternoon or as late as Tuesday afternoon, with the potential for 0.1 to 0.25 inches of rainfall in the valley and some light snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains at elevations around 5,500 feet.

  • The strongest winds are expected on Thursday, with gusts up to 35 mph.
  • Winds will start to relax overnight, with sustained winds of 10-15 mph and gusts around 25 mph expected from 9 PM Thursday to 3 AM Friday.
  • On Friday morning, winds will still be breezy, with sustained winds of 10-15 mph and gusts around 20 mph, before tapering off to single digits by Friday afternoon.
  • The weekend will be dry with a mix of clouds and sun and temperatures in the mid-70s.
  • Rain chances return as early as Monday afternoon or as late as Tuesday afternoon, with the potential for 0.1 to 0.25 inches of rainfall in the valley and some light snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains at elevations around 5,500 feet.

The players

Dirk Verdoorn

A meteorologist who provided the weather forecast and analysis for this story.

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What they’re saying

“Hopefully we will. But boy, that view is just iconic looking there. That Yosemite Valley with Half Dome right there in the foreground.”

— Dirk Verdoorn, Meteorologist

What’s next

The timing of the potential rain next week is still uncertain, with the earliest chance arriving on Monday afternoon and the latest by Tuesday afternoon. Residents and businesses should monitor the forecast closely as the week progresses to prepare for the possibility of wet weather.

The takeaway

This windy weather is a reminder that Northern California's spring can bring a mix of conditions, from pleasant weekends to potential storm systems. While the weekend looks dry and mild, the region should be prepared for the possibility of rain and cooler temperatures early next week.