648
FXUS66 KSTO 082113
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
113 PM PST Thu Jan 8 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Dry weather expected next 7 days with areas of patchy morning
   fog and cold overnight/morning temperatures through the
   weekend.

 - Increasing potential for a return to more widespread Valley
   fog/low clouds and warm/dry weather at higher elevations into
   next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

...Rest of Today into the Weekend...
As the shortwave that brought mountain snow on Wednesday departs
the region today, breezy to gusty north winds will continue,
gradually decreasing through this evening. This drying wind will
work to mitigate most potential for fog development overnight into
Friday morning, although some patchy fog may be possible in the
San Joaquin Valley where winds look to dissipate sooner.
Otherwise, as mostly clear weather persists elsewhere, cold
overnight/morning temperatures are anticipated. By Friday AM,
teens to 20s are expected above 4500 feet and low temperatures in
the 30s at lower elevations, with some Valley locations nearing
freezing. While north winds will be lighter on Friday, the weather
pattern should remain similar with limited fog development and
more widespread cold temperatures overnight Friday into Saturday.
Frost development will be possible at low elevations as a result
both Friday and Saturday mornings.

By the weekend, the upper level pattern then looks to become
primarily driven by ridging aloft, ushering in continued dry
weather and an overall stagnating surface weather pattern into
next week. While the ridging aloft is building over the weekend,
patchy Valley fog potential is expected to become more widespread
by Sunday morning, to include the southern Sacramento Valley and
Delta. Temperatures will begin a gradual climb upward by the late
weekend as well.

...Early to Mid Next Week...
As the aforementioned building ridge aloft settles in and
amplifies over the west coast by next week, a stagnating weather
pattern is expected for much of next week. While some details
regarding wind and surface moisture will impact the fog
development potential, this arriving pattern on the surface will
at least be favorable for a return to widespread Valley fog/low
clouds and warm/dry weather at higher elevations. Where fog/low
clouds do not develop or dissipates earlier in the day, warm,
above normal temperatures will be likely given the expected
amplitude of the building ridge.

&&

.AVIATION...
Generally VFR conditions expected to prevail next 24 hours at TAF
sites, although some MVFR/IFR possible in patchy BR/FG at SCK and
MOD after 08z Friday. Stronger north winds expected across the
region throughout the day, with sustained winds 15-20 kts and
gusts 25-30 kts possible much of the day, then gradually
decreasing after 00z Friday.

&&

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

$$