220
FXUS66 KSTO 171903
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
1203 PM PDT Fri Apr 17 2026

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

.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Breezy but gradually decreasing north to east winds today

 - Dry weather into the weekend with near to slightly above
   normal temperatures

 - Storm system brings renewed precipitation chances in rain,
   mountain snow and thunderstorms Sunday night through mid next
   week, along with cooler temperatures and breezy winds

&&

.DISCUSSION...

...Today through Sunday...
Lingering breezy north to east winds are being observed across
portions of interior northern California on this Friday afternoon.
Winds will gradually be decreasing through the rest of the day as
an upper trough continues to shift eastward and upper level
ridging replaces it. Dry and warmer weather is in store for today
and as we head into the weekend. Temperatures will warm to near to
slightly above normal for mid April climatology. Forecast highs
will be in the 70s to near 80 in the Valley, 60s to 70s in the
foothills, and 50s to 60s in the mountains for today through
Sunday. A storm will then approach the region Sunday night and
bring cooler and wetter weather next week.

...Next Week...
Ensemble guidance indicates an upper low approaching the area
Sunday night, bringing renewed precipitation conditions to
interior northern California early to mid next week. Confidence is
increasing on this pattern change to cooler and wetter weather.
The latest guidance shows that the storm has slowed slightly, with
very little change to the rain and snow forecast amounts since the
previous forecast. The forecast rain amounts are expected to
bring minor impacts with slick road conditions and increased
travel times. Snow levels will initially be around 6000 to 7000
feet Monday, lowering to around 5000 to 6000 feet Tuesday
afternoon into Wednesday. Moderate impacts are expected from snow,
with mountain travel delays and chain controls possible. There is
also a 15 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms on Tuesday and
Wednesday, but the best chances are on Tuesday. Expect
periodically breezy winds with this as well. We will continue to
evaluate the need for any winter products. Be sure to check back
frequently for weather updates as we get closer!

&&

.AVIATION...
General VFR conditions at TAF sites over the next 24 hours.
Decreasing northerly winds through the afternoon, becoming less
than 12 kts everywhere by 00z Saturday.

&&

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

&&

$$