773
FXUS66 KSTO 092008
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
108 PM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

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

.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Cooler temperatures and active weather today through the
   weekend with rain, strong to severe thunderstorms, gusty winds,
   and significant mountain snow

 - Winter Storm Warning in effect for the Sierra and Southern
   Cascades Friday evening through Sunday evening

&&

.DISCUSSION...

...Today through the Weekend...
Current radar and satellite imagery show showers and thunderstorms
starting to develop across far northern California, including the
higher terrain of the Coast Range, Shasta County and southern
Cascades. A pattern change is bringing cooler and wetter weather
to the region today through the weekend. Temperatures are
currently trending approximately 5 to 8 degrees cooler than this
time yesterday. Forecast highs will be in the 50s to 60s in the
mountains and 60s to around 80 in the Valley and foothills today,
continuing to cool with highs in the 30s to 60s by the weekend.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will impact the area through
the weekend as well. Latest forecast precipitation amounts have
trended slightly higher than the previous forecast. Slick roads
and minor travel delays can be expected from rain. The latest
probability of thunder from the National Blend of Models indicated
a 45-65% chance for today and Friday for thunderstorms across
basically our entire forecast area. High resolution guidance
depicts sufficient CAPE and shear values that could lead to severe
hail (1.00+ inch), and also weak tornadoes or funnel clouds.
These impacts will be in addition to the threat for brief heavy
rain, gusty winds and lightning. Thunderstorm chances will also
linger into Saturday and Sunday. When thunder roars, go indoors!

The snow forecast has also trended slightly higher since the
previous forecast. The Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a
Winter Storm Warning from Friday evening through Sunday evening
for elevations above 4500 feet. Snow levels will initially be at
pass level or above on Friday, and will lower below the passes
over the weekend. Heaviest snow rates and lowest snow levels are
expected to be from Saturday afternoon through Sunday where major
impacts to mountain travel are anticipated. Mountain travel is
discouraged this weekend while the Warning is in effect. Gusty
southerly winds are also forecast, with the strongest on Saturday.
The north/central Sacramento Valley, northeast foothills and
Sierra Crest will see the strongest winds. We will continue to
montior the trends in the forecast to see if a product will be
needed for the winds.

...Early Next Week...
There may be some lingering showers mainly in the mountains on
Monday. Otherwise drier and warmer weather is projected to return
early to mid next week. Forecast highs will generally be in the
60s to 70s in the Valley and foothills.

&&

.AVIATION...
Primarily VFR conditions over the next 24 hours, except within
thunderstorms through 09z Friday, and again between 18z Friday and
09z Saturday, which will bring potential for brief MVFR/IFR
conditions in any heavy rainfall. Surface winds generally at or
below 12 kt in the Valley through 12z Saturday, before southerly
wind speeds begin to increase across interior NorCal and continue
through late Saturday; gusts up to 35-45 mph in the Valley and up
to 50 mph in the mountains at times. Gusty and erratic winds will
occur near any thunderstorms as well.

&&

.STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Storm Warning from 5 PM Friday to 11 PM PDT Sunday for
West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen
Park.

&&

$$