252
FXUS66 KSTO 242126
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
126 PM PST Tue Feb 24 2026

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

..KEY MESSAGES...

 - Warm storm system brings rain through Wednesday morning

 - Dry and warming conditions likely for the second half of the
   week with above normal temperatures

 - Potential for very light showers mainly over higher terrain
   over the weekend into early next week with little to no impacts

&&

.DISCUSSION...

...Today - Wednesday Morning...
Current RADAR and satellite imagery illustrate precipitation
continuing to spread inland across interior northern California
today. Slick road conditions are being observed, per the Caltrans
traffic cameras. High resolution guidance indicates the
precipitation continuing through much of the day today as the
moisture progresses inland, before tapering off overnight tonight
with some lingering showers mainly over the Sierra Nevada
Wednesday morning. Breezy southerly winds are also being observed,
with gusts of 20 to 30 mph expected through the afternoon, mainly
in the northern/central Sacramento Valley and adjacent northeast
foothills. Winds will gradually decrease through the overnight
period. Snow levels are very high with this storm system and only
very light snowfall is expected at the highest peaks (above 9000
ft) in the High Sierra south of US Highway 50.

...Wednesday Afternoon - Monday...
Precipitation tapers off on Wednesday and drier weather returns to
the region as high pressure starts to build back in. Temperatures
are forecast to warm to above normal for late February and early
March climatology. High temperatures for the second half of this
week and into early next week are expected to be generally in the
60s to 70s for the Valley and foothills and in the 50s to near 70
for the mountains. Cluster analysis and ensemble guidance then
indicate an upper low approaching the Coast and moving into
California. This will bring along the potential for very light
showers mainly over higher terrain later in the weekend into early
next week. Little to no impacts are expected from this
precipitation.

&&

.AVIATION...
Scattered MVFR/IFR conditions expected through 12Z Wednesday due
to -SHRA/RA and low clouds as weather system moves through the
area. Breezy southerly winds in the Sacramento Valley with gusts
up to 15 to 25kts, and up to 30 kts near the northeastern
foothills at times through 00Z Wednesday. Localized LIFR/IFR
conditions are possible in the Valley between 04Z and 14Z
Wednesday.

&&

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

&&

$$