000
FXUS66 KSTO 310930
AFDSTO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
230 AM PDT Tue Mar 31 2020

.Synopsis...
Threat of showers persists across far northern California today,
otherwise dry and milder this week. Breezy northerly winds
expected by mid-week. Chance of precipitation returns over the
weekend.

&&

.Discussion...
Strong mid-level jet, beneath the upper trough centered over BC,
continues to force light precipitation across the far northern
portion of California. Radar shows some light showers spreading
inland from northwest California into the northern Sacramento
Valley. Elsewhere, skies are mostly clear to the south of
Sacramento. Current temperatures range from the 30s in the
mountains to the upper 40s and 50s across the Central Valley.

Precipitation across the north is expected to taper today as the
jet weakens/retreats northward and weakening front sags into
NorCal. Additional QPF today is expected to be less than a quarter
inch across the northern mountains.

Generally drier and milder conditions are expected through the
end of the work week. Breezy northerly winds are expected
beginning Wednesday as pressure gradient tightens. Gusts of 25 to
30 mph will be possible, mainly across the northern Sacramento
Valley on Wednesday, and throughout the Central Valley on
Thursday.

Seasonal, or slightly below average temperatures are expected.

&&

.EXTENDED DISCUSSION (Saturday THROUGH Tuesday)...
Deterministic models coming into better agreement over the
weekend indicating a pair of Pacific storms will move through
interior NorCal. First moves through Saturday, followed by a
colder stronger low Sunday. Widespread precipitation is depicted
with Sundays system bringing some moderate to heavy snow in the
mountains of Western Plumas county and Northern Sierra Nevada.
Forecast confidence lowers early next week as model differences
become more significant. Ensemble solutions however maintain upper
troughing over NorCal Mon/Tue for a continued unsettled weather
forecast.

&&

.AVIATION...
Lcl MVFR/IFR conds poss in shwrs, N of I-80 and mnly omtns and
poss Nrn Sac Vly, thru abt 03z Wed otrw VFR. Sn lvls 050-070 ft
amsl. In Cntrl Vly/Delta lcl S-SW sfc wnd gusts up to 25 kts poss
btwn 18z-04z. Omtns, lcl S-W sfc wnd gsts up to 35 kts poss nxt 24
hrs.


&&

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

&&

$$