Cooler air, showers to aid in wildfire efforts across California this weekend

By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

September 30,2016; 11:04PM,EDT

 

Improving weather over the next several days will aid officials in battling wildfires across California.
The extreme heat and gusty winds due to a Santa Ana wind came to an end earlier this week. The weather for the remainder of this week will benefit firefighters trying to contain fires.
"Weak winds and more seasonable temperatures will allow firefighters to contain blazes with ease through Saturday," AccuWeather Meteorologist and firefighter Evan Duffey said.
At least four new fires were sparked earlier this week, according to Cal Fire.
Firefighters ignite a backfire to stop the Loma fire from spreading near Morgan Hill, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Evacuations are in order for portions of Santa Clara County due to the formation of the Loma Fire on Monday afternoon, according to Cal Fire. This fire, located south of San Jose, has already destroyed eight single residence homes and nine outbuildings. Over 300 structures remain threatened.
The Marshes Fire in Tuolumne County started due to a vehicle parked on dry grass.
Highs in the 90s and even 100s F across much of California earlier this week will be replaced with highs in the 70s and 80s into the weekend.
Much of California will be sunny and dry through Saturday; however a few thunderstorms could increase the wildfire threat across the Sierra Nevada.
"Monsoonal thunderstorms will continue across the Intermountain West into the weekend, but a few dry thunderstorms may occur across the Sierra Nevada through Friday, which could spark a new fire," Duffey said.
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By the second half of the weekend, a storm is forecast to dive southward across California and bring the chance for some rain, mountain snow and a brief shot of cooler air.
"A storm will dive into California late this weekend and into early next week producing spotty showers across northern and central California," Duffey said.
This storm will bring air cool enough to produce snow showers across the northern portions of the Sierra Nevada. Snow levels will drop to near 6.500 feet during Sunday night.

Little if any rainfall will reach Southern California.
Winds will pick up and be constantly changing direction, especially across Southern California, which could lead to erratic wildfire behavior for any blazes yet to be contained. The cooler conditions would only lead to a low chance for new wildfires to ignite.
Vintage cars line a property after the Loma fire burned through Loma Chiquita Road near Morgan Hill, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
"This weekend could be the end of the wildfire season for much of northern and central California," Duffey said.
Quiet conditions are expected to return to California to start next week. Seasonable temperatures and calm winds will keep wildfires under control and limit the development of new fires.