599
FXUS66 KSTO 241854
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
1154 AM PDT Tue Mar 24 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Above normal temperatures continue through the week with
   widespread Minor HeatRisk

 - Gusty and drying northerly flow mid to late week, strongest on
   Thursday along the I-5 corridor and in the higher elevations

&&

.DISCUSSION...

...The Week Ahead...
Upper level ridging continues to control the weather pattern
around the area this Tuesday. Weak closed low is observed off
SoCal`s coast as well, and will slowly move eastward through
Thursday. High temperatures will be continue to be "cooler" than
the previous week, however still run around 10-20 degrees above
normal, with several locations likely to meet or break previous
high temperature records. As the aforementioned low moves inland,
periods of breezy to gusty north to northwest winds will develop
Wednesday and Thursday; strongest Thursday especially along the
I-5 corridor and in the northern Sierra. Probabilities of gusts
greater than 40 mph on Thursday are around 30-60% along and west
of I-5. High temperatures cool Thursday with the northerly winds,
but will quickly climb back to similar highs from Monday and today
through the weekend.

As we move into Sunday and Monday, our upper level pattern will
begin to change. A trough is forecast to deepen across the Gulf of
Alaska and dig into the PacNW by Monday/into Tuesday. System is
forecast to strengthen and tap into a plume of 150kg/m/s IVT,
which will bring a shower chances, mainly in the northern
Sacramento Valley, NE Foothills, and northern Sierra/southern
Cascades and Coastal Range Monday afternoon into Tuesday. Cold air
associated with the trough will also help introduce slight chances
for mountain snow. Still too early to get exact details and
accumulations down, however our confidence is increasing on a
pattern change with cooler temperatures, beneficial rain and light snow
moving back into the area next week.

As we continue to see well-above normal temperatures for this time
of year, individuals should practice heat safety. Please be sure
to stay hydrated and take breaks from being in the sun during the
heat of the day. Always remember to use caution and wear a life
jacket near area waterways.

.AVIATION...

VFR conditions to prevail across NorCal next 24
hours. Light surface winds below 12 kts, gusts up to 20 kts in the
higher elevations. &&

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

&&

$$