Western US Weather Forecast: Sunny Days, Foggy Mornings Ahead
Western US Weather Forecast: A Tale of Sunshine, Fog, and Mild Winter Days
As we approach mid-December 2025, the vast and diverse Western United States presents a fascinating tapestry of weather conditions. From the sun-drenched deserts of Arizona to the often-misty Pacific Northwest and the famously varied microclimates of California, this region is a study in contrasts. For the upcoming forecast period, specifically Friday, December 13th, and into Saturday, December 14th, residents and travelers alike can anticipate a generally mild and stable weather pattern, though with a few localized phenomena that warrant attention, particularly dense fog in certain areas.
While much of the region will bask under clear or mostly sunny skies during the day, the nights will bring a shift, with increasing cloudiness and, notably, the return of patchy to dense fog across parts of California. Temperatures will range from exceptionally warm in the desert Southwest to cool but comfortable further north. There are currently no significant weather alerts issued across the Western Zone, indicating a period of relative calm, but preparedness remains key, especially for those navigating the foggy corridors.

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Current Conditions Snapshot: A Region in Transition
The Western Zone, encompassing a vast geographical area, is currently experiencing a stable, high-pressure dominated pattern. This translates to mostly clear and pleasant conditions for many, especially during daylight hours. In the desert Southwest, cities like Phoenix, AZ, and Mesa, AZ, are enjoying remarkably warm December afternoons, with temperatures soaring into the mid-70s Fahrenheit under brilliant sunshine. Tucson, AZ, mirrors this trend, reaching a comfortable 78°F today.
Further west, California showcases its signature diversity. While Los Angeles, CA, experiences a beautiful 74°F with abundant sunshine, and Las Vegas, NV, sits comfortably at 68°F, other parts of the Golden State are already contending with early morning and late evening fog. San Diego, CA, for instance, is seeing patchy fog lingering through parts of the day, with mild temperatures around 55-59°F. In the Central Valley, cities like Sacramento, CA, and Fresno, CA, are starting their days with areas of fog, holding temperatures in the low 40s Fahrenheit. Coastal cities like San Francisco, CA (50°F) and San Jose, CA (56°F) are enjoying sunny conditions currently, but will see fog develop overnight.
Up in the Pacific Northwest, a mild December continues. Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, and Eugene, OR, are all reporting pleasant, mostly sunny conditions with temperatures hovering in the low to mid-50s Fahrenheit. The Intermountain West, including Salt Lake City, UT (54°F) and Reno, NV (45°F), is also enjoying mostly sunny to clear skies, with cooler but seasonable temperatures.
Looking Ahead: The Next 24 Hours Across the West
The stability observed today is largely set to continue through the overnight hours and into Saturday, December 14th, though with some notable shifts in cloud cover and visibility. Here's a more detailed look at what to expect:
- Arizona's Desert Warmth Endures: In Phoenix and Mesa, the glorious sunshine of Friday will transition into partly cloudy skies overnight, with temperatures cooling to the mid-50s Fahrenheit (58°F in Phoenix, 55°F in Mesa). Tucson will also see mostly cloudy conditions overnight, with temperatures dropping to a mild 52°F. The lack of significant wind in these areas (0-5 mph) will contribute to comfortable evenings.
- California's Foggy Embrace: The most significant weather feature for California will be the pervasive fog.
- Coastal California: San Diego will continue with patchy fog into the evening, maintaining mild temperatures around 59°F. Los Angeles will see patchy fog develop overnight, with lows around 57°F. San Francisco (46°F) and San Jose (44°F) are also forecast to experience patchy to areas of fog overnight, with light winds.
- Central Valley: Sacramento and Fresno, already contending with fog, will see it persist and potentially thicken overnight. Temperatures will remain cool, in the low 40s Fahrenheit (43°F in Sacramento, 41°F in Fresno). Driving conditions here will require extreme caution due to significantly reduced visibility.
- Pacific Northwest Mildness Continues: The mild temperatures in the PNW will continue into the overnight hours. Seattle will see mostly cloudy skies and a low of 51°F with moderate winds of 8 mph. Portland will be partly cloudy, cooling to 46°F. Eugene is expected to be mostly clear, dropping to 44°F. Winds generally remain light in Oregon.
- Intermountain West's Clear, Crisp Nights: Salt Lake City, UT, will transition from mostly sunny to mostly cloudy overnight, with temperatures falling to a crisp 39°F. Las Vegas, NV, will be partly cloudy with a low of 53°F. Reno, NV, will experience mostly clear skies, with temperatures dipping to 39°F. Winds across this region will remain very light, making for calm but cool evenings.
Regional Highlights and Anomalies: Understanding the Western Climate
The Western US is a land of dramatic climatic shifts, and this forecast period perfectly illustrates some of its unique characteristics.
Arizona's Winter Oasis
The desert Southwest, particularly the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas, is enjoying what many consider ideal winter weather. With daytime highs in the mid-70s and clear skies, these conditions are a significant draw for
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