835
FXUS66 KSTO 022023
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
1223 PM PST Mon Mar 2 2026

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


.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Dry weather with near normal temperatures today and Tuesday,
   with chances for AM low clouds in the Valley after 4 AM.

 - Light showers and thunderstorms over the northern Sac Valley,
   foothills, and mountains on Wednesday.

 - Gusty north to east winds Thursday-Saturday, with above-normal
   temperatures Friday through the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

...Today-Tuesday...
Dry conditions prevail through Tuesday with near-normal
temperatures and light winds.

Tonight into Tuesday morning, there is the potential low cloud
development around the eastern half of the central/southern
Sacramento Valley and northern San Joaquin Valley which may
interfere with viewing the Total Lunar Eclipse. The latest HRRR
shows widespread clear skies after 7 PM tonight, with scattered
clouds roughly after 4 AM. Sky conditions in the foothills and
mountains will be clear through the entire Lunar Eclipse viewing
period.

...Wednesday...
A trough is expected to move through Northern
California on Wednesday bringing light showers and a 10-20%
chance of thunderstorms to the northern Sacramento Valley,
foothills, and mountains. 1 to 2 inches of snow is possible along
the highest peaks and lighter amounts at pass level.

...Thursday to Sunday...
Dry conditions return on Thursday as a trough drops down and
deepens into the Great Basin. This will lead to gusty north to
east winds developing Thursday through Saturday, with the
strongest winds on Friday. NBM probabilities of wind gusts greater
than 40 mph sit around 50-70% on Friday west of I-5 in the
Sacramento Valley and over the mountains. Probabilities for gusts
greater than 30 mph are 60-80% on Thursday and Saturday.

Warmer weather is expected during this period as well, with
above-normal high temperatures Friday into the weekend.

&&


.AVIATION...
Lingering low ceilings will bring patchy MVFR to the Valley until
around 22z-23z. Otherwise, generally VFR conditions next 24
hours. The exception will be areas of MVFR/IFR conditions from
mist and low ceilings in the Valley 12z-16z Tuesday, mainly across
the southern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin valleys. Surface
winds generally less than 12 kts next 24 hours. Light
precipitation will gradually spread across portions of the
northern Sacramento Valley and adjacent terrain after 06z-12z
Wednesday.


&&

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

$$