620
FXUS66 KSTO 222019
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
119 PM PDT Wed Apr 22 2026

For additional details on weather and expected impacts over the
next 7 days, please visit weather.gov/sto/briefing.


.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Lingering light rain showers, mountain snow, and isolated
   thunderstorms through this afternoon and early evening.

 - Warmer and drier conditions return on Thursday.

 - Light mountain showers and isolated thunderstorms Friday into
   early next week. Dry weather elsewhere.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

...Today-Thursday...
Afternoon radar imagery shows scattered light showers across the
area as an upper low gradually moves into the Great Basin.
Lingering light rain showers, mountain snow showers, and isolated
thunderstorm chances (10-15%) are expected through this afternoon
and early evening. Additional snowfall accumulations of up to 1 to
2 inches will be possible through this afternoon and early
evening above 4500-5000 feet. Check road conditions before you go
as roads will continue to be slick.

Dry northwest flow develops tonight into Thursday, with drier and
warmer conditions expected across the area. Forecast highs on
Thursday will be in the 60s to mid 70s in the Valley and
foothills, and in the 50s to 60s in the mountains.

...Friday - Early Next Week...
Ensembles continue to show an upper low trough building over the
EPAC that will move over the area this weekend as it merges with
another trough. The troughing pattern will introduce chances for
light mountain rain and snow showers Friday through early next
week. Little to no impacts are expected as precipitation amounts
are anticipated to remain light. NBM continues to depicts a
10-25% chance for afternoon mountain thunderstorms each day, with
the highest chances on Saturday. Thunderstorms may also develop
across portions of the northern Sacramento Valley and foothills on
Saturday.

Elsewhere, dry conditions are expected. Gradual warming continues
into Friday, then gradual cooling is expected by the weekend.
Highs will be in the 60s to 70s in the Valley and foothills this
weekend, with cooler low to mid 40s to 50s for the higher
elevations.

&&

.AVIATION...
A weather system continues to trend weaker with now MVFR to VFR
conditions across northern CA from weak showers and cloud cover.
Winds remain under 12 kts for the next 24 hours. Snow levels
remain around 5000 to 6000 feet, increasing after 18z Thu. VFR
conditions prevail across northern CA by 12z Thu.

&&

.STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

$$