Smoke Call Status:

Mon thru Fri excluding Holidays

Issued:

12:30 PM   Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Discussion - Thursday & Friday

Continued weakening of the Ridge will occur Thu/Fri due to weaker disturbance influences. Afternoon mixing will improve especially on Fri. Northerly and easterly transport winds will also increase on Fri, across most areas. Ventilation will remain in the poor to locally moderate category Thu but should noticeably improve on Fri with more moderate to good readings during the afternoon, although depends on location. Portions of the Coastal Range and Bay Area will experience lesser vent rates on Fri.

(mph)

(ft AGL)

Thursday Afternoon

Thursday Afternoon

Thursday Night

Thursday Night

Click on images to enlarge

Friday Afternoon

Friday Afternoon

Saturday - Monday

A weaker Inside Slider like disturbance will impact the area into Sat before giving way to a transitioning Ridge on Sun. A weakening Ridge could return as early as Mon. Mixing heights and transport winds should peak on Sat before giving way to strengthening inversions Sun. The strongest ventilation signature should occur from west of the Crest to portions of the Coastal Range-Bay Area on Sat then return to poor to locally moderate on Sun. Less certainty for Mon but suspect some ventilation improvement.  Northerly and easterly transport winds could switch back to a more onshore direction as early as Mon.

Helpful Resources:

Air Resources Board

San Joaquin Air Quality

AirNow Fire and Smoke Map

North Zone Predictive Services Weather Page

South Zone Predictive Services Weather Page

NWS California Fire Weather Page

NWS Spot Forecast Request

This Product was developed by the Predictive Services group, located at the North Zone Coordination Center in Redding, California