575
FXUS66 KSTO 082042
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
142 PM PDT Wed Apr 8 2026

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


.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Dry and warm weather expected today, with afternoon and evening
   thunderstorm chances

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

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

&&

.DISCUSSION...

...Today...
Latest radar imagery depicts some showers and isolated
thunderstorms developing over the Coast Range this afternoon.
High- resolution models depict the potential for thunderstorm
development this afternoon and evening, mainly over the northern
Sacramento Valley and surrounding terrain. Otherwise, forecast
highs will reach the 70s to 80s in the Valley and foothills and
60s to 70s in the mountains this afternoon. Minor HeatRisk is
forecast for the lower elevations.

...Thursday through the Weekend...
Ensemble guidance supports a pattern change to upper level
troughing for late week and over the weekend, bringing along a
renewal of cooler and active weather to the region. High
temperatures will be cooler and more seasonable for early to mid
April climatology by Friday, in the 60s to low 70s in the Valley
and foothills, and the 50s to 60s in the mountains. The threat for
thunderstorms is still on track over the coming days. Thunderstorm
chances (30-50% probability) become more widespread across the
forecast area by Thursday and Friday, where there is potential for
some strong to severe storms. Thunderstorm activity could linger
into the overnight hours both days. Saturday and Sunday will also
see some lingering thunderstorm chances (highest probabilities
expected on Saturday). Precipitation also becomes more widespread
Friday into the weekend, with latest WPC guidance indicating
around 0.5-1" in the Valley and Delta and up to 2-4" or higher
over the mountains.

Significant mountain snow will bring mountain travel impacts this
weekend. Snow levels remain above pass levels through Friday
afternoon, dropping to around 6000-7000 ft late Friday-Saturday,
then lowering to around 4000-4500 ft late Saturday into Sunday.
Total snowfall accumulations of 1-2 feet are expected above 4500
feet, with up to 3-4 over the highest peaks. Lighter
accumulations are expected as low as 4000 feet. At this point,
the heaviest snow is expected late Saturday morning through midday
Sunday. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the southern
Cascades and northern Sierra above 4500 feet from 5 PM Friday
through 11 PM Sunday. Be sure to stay up to date with the latest
forecast information at weather.gov and check road conditions
before you go.

Breezy south to southwest winds are also expected on Saturday,
with the strongest winds expected across the northern Sacramento
Valley, northeast foothills and mountains. The latest NBM suggests
a 45-80% probability of wind gusts greater than 35 mph for those
areas.

...Early Next Week...
Lingering mountain showers are expected into early Monday.
Otherwise, drier and warmer conditions return early next week.
Afternoon highs will be reaching into the upper 60s to 70s in the
Valley.

&&

.AVIATION...

VFR conditions are forecast to prevail over interior northern
California over most of the next 24 hours, except within
thunderstorms between 20z today and 08z Thursday in the northern
Sacramento Valley and adjacent terrain, which will bring potential
for brief MVFR/IFR conditions in any heavy rainfall. Surface
winds generally at/below 12 kt in the Valley; locally higher
speeds in the mountains and near any thunderstorms.

&&

.STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Storm Watch from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening
for West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas
County/Lassen Park.

&&

$$