118
FXUS66 KSTO 231851
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
1151 AM PDT Fri Oct 23 2026

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



.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Breezy north to east winds develop today and into Saturday AM,
   followed by weaker downsloping winds Sat PM-Sun AM

 - Dry weather continues through most of next week, chance for
   light showers over the Shasta County mountains on Monday

 - Potential for unsettled weather Halloween Weekend, but details
   remain uncertain

.DISCUSSION...

...Today through Monday...

Scattered cloud cover is being observed across interior Northern
California this afternoon via satellite. The weather system that
brought widespread precipitation to the region is actively moving
into the Desert Southwest. As ridging begins to build off the
coast of NW California and the low treks further south, north to
east winds will develop in the Sacramento Valley and downsloping
northeast to east winds across the western slopes of the Sierra.

Forecast gusts are between 25 to 35 mph through the western
Sacramento Valley and western slopes of the Sierra. Gusts 40 to
45 mph will be possible through gaps and canyons in the mountains
and in the vicinity Delta west of I-5. Following this, a weaker
short-lived period of downsloping winds is expected in the Sierra
Saturday evening into Sunday morning, with gusts 20 to 30 mph. No
broad/large scale fire weather concerns are anticipated given
recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, but the gusty winds may
make driving difficult for high profile vehicles. These drying
north winds will limit any fog/low clouds developing in the Valley
tonight into Saturday, but portions of the northern San Joaquin
Valley may see patchy fog/stratus where the north winds haven`t
reached.

Temperatures begin to trend slightly warmer as we head into next
week and ridging builds, but high temperatures will remain a few
degrees below normal. A few isolated showers are possible over
Shasta County mountains, Coastal Range, and southern Cascades on
Monday as a weather system passes through the Pacific Northwest,
but any precipitation amounts will be very light. The
aforementioned system will additionally bring breezy south to
southwest winds to the area, especially over the Sierra.
Otherwise dry weather is expected everywhere else.

...Tuesday and Beyond...
Dry weather continues through the rest of the work week, but there
is the potential for unsettled weather as we close out October
and head into November. Details are fairly uncertain since we`re
so far out, but this week will be an ideal time to clear gutters
and secure loose outdoor decorations and items in preparation for
any additional precipitation.


&&

.AVIATION...
Predominantly VFR conditions are expected over the next 24 hours,
with isolated MVFR/IFR/LIFR conditions as a result of low clouds.
Low ceilings and patchy fog are possible at SCK and MOD after 12Z
Saturday which may result in MVFR/IFR/LIFR conditions. North to
east winds increase in the Valley today, with sustained winds 10
to 20 kts and gusts 15 to 30 kts through 18Z Saturday. Gusty
downsloping winds are also expected across the western slopes of
the Sierra from 00Z to 18Z Saturday.

&&

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

$$