LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Weather forecasters are predicting large swings in weather patterns as winter approaches with near-term fall patterns looking much the same.

The first substantial rainfalls for the season occurred as October began, followed by several days of warm and sunny weather – before rains returned on Monday.

The winegrape harvest has stalled as growers wait on red varietals and the walnut harvest gets under way, but luckily forecasters are predicting skies to clear Tuesday afternoon with a warming trend and abundant sunshine to ramp up throughout the remainder of the week.

Forecasters state that Wednesday and Thursday will both top out in the 80s, with Thursday reaching into the mid- to upper-80s before temperatures dip slowly back to the 70s for at least the next 10 days.

Overnight temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-40s to 50s throughout this period.

Forecasters at AccuWeather.com report that apart from the Southwest United States, people across the western US, including Lake County, can expect large swings in weather conditions throughout the winter, according to their Long-Range Forecasting Team.

December is likely to feature above-normal warmth across much of the entire West, however from late December into January, the team expects a transition where cold fronts will drop farther south along the West Coast, reaching Northern and Central California and bringing temperatures back to near normal in Lake County.

The famed “Pineapple Express” – a phenomenon that occurs when a strong, persistent flow of tropical moisture sets up from the Hawaiian Islands to the West Coast of the U.S. – could develop for a time this winter according to Accuweather.com, which explains that this phenomenon often leads to excessive rain and incredible snow events.

“Last year, California was hit hard when the Pineapple Express set up from Dec. 17-22, producing massive flooding and 13 feet of snow in the Sierra,” senior meteorologist Paul Pastelok with AccuWeather explained.

During that time, Lake County received several inches of rain, as previously reported.

“The Pineapple Express could develop for a period this winter and take aim at northern and central California. That could lead to monster snowfall and heavy valley rain with the risk of flooding and mudslides,” according to Pastelok.

For up-to-the-minute weather information, please visit the Lake County News homepage.

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