213
FXUS66 KSTO 102136
AFDSTO
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
136 PM PST Tue Feb 10 2026
For additional details on weather and expected impacts over the
next 7 days, please visit weather.gov/sto/briefing.
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A weather system will bring widespread precipitation across
the area, with snowfall bringing moderate travel impacts over
the northern Sierra and southern Cascades late tonight
through Wednesday.
- A break in precipitation is expected Thursday through Friday
- A likely wetter and colder system arrives this weekend through
early next week, bringing significant travel impacts for the
holiday weekend. Specific details still uncertain.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
...Today through Wednesday...
A weather system will continue to move through the area through
Wednesday, bringing rain showers, moderate mountain snow, breezy
winds and isolated thunderstorms. The heaviest precipitation is
expected this afternoon through Wednesday morning. A Winter
Weather Advisory remains in effect until 4 pm Wednesday for the
northern Sierra and the southern Cascades and Lassen Park above
5500 feet. Snow levels will be around 6000 to 7500 feet today,
falling to around 5500 feet Wednesday. Total snow accumulations of
3 to 6 inches are expected above 5500 feet, 8 to 12 inches above
6000 feet, and up to 18 inches possible over higher peaks. Expect
delays and chain controls on mountain freeways such as I-80 and US
Highway 50. Rainfall amounts in the Valley are expected to be
generally around a half inch to an inch, though they could be
locally higher in thunderstorms. This should limit impacts from
rainfall to be mainly slippery travel on roads.
The latest probability of thunderstorms sits around 15-25% for
this afternoon/evening through Wednesday. Hi-Res guidance
indicates the best thunderstorm chances will be mainly over the
Sierra foothills late this afternoon and evening, then across
portions of the Valley and foothills on Wednesday.
Breezy southerly winds are also expected across portions of the
southern Sacramento Valley and northern San Joaquin Valley on
Wednesday, with gusts to around 20-30 mph, locally up to 35 mph.
...Thursday through Friday...
A few light showers might linger over the Sierra into Thursday
morning. Otherwise, dry conditions return Thursday through Friday
as system drops down into SoCal and brief ridging develops over
the area. Seasonable temperatures are anticipated, with Valley
and foothill highs generally in the upper 50s to low 60s. Patchy
morning fog may develop in the Valley on Friday.
...Saturday through Early Next Week...
A potentially wetter and colder system arrives this weekend through
early next week, which could bring periods of moderate to heavy
mountain snow, widespread rain and breezy southerly winds.
Precipitation appears to remain north of I-80 on Saturday, then
gradually spreads across the area Saturday night into early next
week. At this point, the heaviest precipitation appears to be
Sunday night into early next week. The colder air associated with
this system means lower snow levels, possibly into the upper
foothills by early next week. There remains uncertainty about this
storm regarding timing, exact snow levels and precipitation
amounts. Stay tuned as more details become available!
&&
.AVIATION...
Widespread MVFR conditions next 24 hours due to weather system
moving through the area. Precipitation begins around 00z Wednesday
continuing through at least 18z. Low ceilings due to -RA/BR
conditions, along with isolated t-storms will lead to areas of IFR
conditions as well. Surface wind gusts from the south up to 25
kts start at around 06z Wednesday. Snow levels in the mountains
around 6000-7000 feet through 12z Wednesday, lowering to 5000-6000
feet thereafter.
&&
.STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST Wednesday for West Slope
Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen Park.
&&
$$
