144
FXUS66 KSTO 062053
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
1253 PM PST Fri Mar 6 2026



.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Gusty north to east winds through Saturday, strongest today

 - Well-above normal temperatures this weekend, with slightly
   cooler still above-normal temperatures next week

 - Dry weather is forecast through the weekend into next week

&&

.DISCUSSION...

...Today-Saturday...
The trough over the Great Basin will deepen today as ridging
builds over the eastern Pacific and the Pacific Northwest. This
will lead to continued gusty north to east winds through Saturday.
The strongest winds are expected today with gusts 20 to 35 mph,
and higher gusts over the mountains. Winds will weaken this
afternoon, mainly in the Valley, before increasing again on
Saturday with the strongest gusts of the day expected over the
mountains. NBM probabilities of wind gusts greater than 30 mph on
Saturday sit around 60-90% on Saturday west of I-5 in the
Sacramento Valley, with a 50-60% of gusts greater than 40 mph over
the mountains.

Dry and increasingly warm weather is expected into Saturday as
eastern Pacific ridging builds, with highs 10 to 20 degrees above
normal. Valley highs on Saturday are forecast to be in the upper
70s to around 80. Humidity levels will be noticeably lower, due to
the building ridge, warmer temperatures, and several days of
northerly to easterly flow.

...Sunday-Thursday...
Dry and warm weather is expected through this period, with above-
normal high temperatures peaking this weekend. Sunday afternoon
high temperatures will climb into the 70s in the Valley and
foothills this weekend, with 50s and low 70s in the mountains. NBM
indicates a 30-60% chance of high temperatures greater than 80
degrees across the northern Sacramento Valley, including Redding.
Above normal temperatures continue into early next week, though a
system passing to the north will briefly flatten the ridge with
slight cooling noticeable Monday and Tuesday, then a bit warmer
mid to late week.

&&

.AVIATION...
VFR conditions are forecast to continue over the next 24 hours.
North to east winds gusting 20 to 30 kts will persist until
roughly 03Z Saturday through the Valley. Gusty north to east winds
will continue to remain elevated through the Delta and over the
mountains through the overnight hours. North winds pick up again
in the Valley tomorrow after 12Z with gusts 15 to 20 kts.


&&

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

$$