517
FXUS66 KSTO 251822
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
1122 AM PDT Sat Apr 25 2026


.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Light mountain showers and isolated thunderstorms this
   afternoon and evening into early next week, best chances over
   Shasta County and mountain areas.

 - Temperatures trend cool for weekend, a little above normal and
   dry mid to late next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

...Today-Sunday...
Isolated showers, thunderstorms, light snow, and breezy winds
today from a trough passage through California, apart of a larger
low pressure system over the West into Central Canada. Overall,
precipitation has trended wetter today but still looking for
only minor travel impacts. Hi- res modeling show showers and
convection beginning early this afternoon and linger into the
overnight hours. Showers will continue through Sunday morning with
another round of thunderstorms on Sunday, mainly confined to
Shasta County. Overall, impacts are limited by lack of organized
convection and peak convection window occurring after daytime
energy is on the downtrend and shear values on the weaker side of
things. Current totals show 0.25-0.75" over the mountains and
0.50-1.50" over Shasta County, highest over Eastern Shasta County.
Additionally, south winds gusts up to 15-25 MPH today and
tomorrow (Sunday), strongest in the afternoon hours.

With that being said, any developed thunderstorms carries the
risk of lightning, small hail, and rain showers so exercise
caution if commuting and find the latest road conditions at
quickmap.ca.dot.gov.

Lastly, minor snow accumulations expected as showers develop over
the mountains. Current forecasts have 1-4 inches over the Sierra,
up to 6-8 inches over Lassen and peaks south of Hwy. 50. Snow
levels decrease late this afternoon to around 5500-6500, then
persist through Monday before snow tapers off. Travel
impacts should be limited, with slippery roads at times.

...Next Week...
Lingering showers continue over the Sierra on Monday with dry
conditions to follow through much of the work week. Highs will be
in the 70s in the Valley and foothills, with cooler mid to upper
40s to 50s for the higher elevations. Temperatures trend higher
and more seasonable mid to late week with low 80s across the
Valley by Wednesday and afternoon breezy weather across the Delta.

&&

.AVIATION...

Areas of MVFR conditions possible in mountain showers or isolated
thunderstorms this afternoon into early next week, extending into
portions of the Valley and foothills this weekend. Elsewhere, VFR
conditions expected next 24 hours except for possible MVFR
ceilings at the Sacramento area sites after 10z-12z Sunday.
Periods of breezy southerly to southwesterly gusts up to 15-20 kts
in the Valley and up to 20-30 kts over the mountains until around
00z-03z Monday.

&&

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

$$