813
FXUS66 KSTO 182031
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
131 PM PDT Sat Apr 18 2026

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

.KEY MESSAGES...

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

 - Storm system brings renewed precipitation chances in rain,
   mountain snow and thunderstorms Monday through Wednesday,
   along with cooler temperatures and breezy winds

&&

.DISCUSSION...

...Today through Sunday...
Current GOES-West satellite imagery illustrates some high clouds
starting to move into California on this Saturday afternoon.
Temperatures are currently trending approximately 5 to 10 degrees
warmer than this time yesterday, valid at 115 PM PDT. The upper
level pattern features ridging, bringing warm and dry conditions
today the forecast area. Forecast highs this weekend will be in
the 70s to low 80s in the Valley and foothills, and in the 50s to
60s in the mountains. These temperatures will be trending near to
slightly above normal for this time of year. Generally light
winds are prevailing across the area and will gradually increase
out of the south on Sunday ahead of an approaching storm system.

...Next Week...
An upper low will approach California and move inland early to mid
next week, bringing along cooler temperatures, breezy southerly winds,
rain, thunderstorms and mountain snow Monday through Wednesday.
The latest forecast precipitation amounts have not changed much,
with 1 to 2 inches of rain in the Valley and 1.5 to 3 inches of
rain in the foothills, with 1 to 2 feet of snow in the mountains.
Snow levels will initially be high on Monday, around 6000 to 7000+
feet, and will lower down to the passes Tuesday, and down to 5000
to 6000 feet late Tuesday into Wednesday. Moderate impacts from
mountain snow are forecast, with chain controls, travel delays and
reduced visibilities at times. The threat for thunderstorms will
have the highest chances on Tuesday, which will bring the
potential for strong to severe thunderstorms on this day. There
are also be some lingering thunderstorm chances into Wednesday as
well. Check back frequently for updates on this storm and always
check the forecast and road conditions before traveling!

&&

.AVIATION...
General VFR conditions at TAF sites over the next 24 hours.
Increasing cloud cover around 00z Monday as a weather system moves
into the area, but no changes in flight categories in the next 24
hours. Winds generally less than 12 kts everywhere until 18z
Sunday. Then, southerly winds gradually increase with gusts up to
25 kts in the northern Sacramento Valley and foothills, and up to
30 kts in the mountains through 06z Monday.

&&

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

&&

$$