Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Sacramento, CA
Issued by NWS Sacramento, CA
573 FXUS66 KSTO 081129 AFDSTO Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sacramento CA 329 AM PST Wed Jan 8 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Breezy north to east winds this week accompanied by dry weather and above-normal temperatures. Gusty north to east winds return by the weekend. && .DISCUSSION... Dry, clear, and overall breezy conditions prevail across interior Northern California early this morning. Elevated north to east winds are still creating locally gusty conditions over the mountains, foothills, and Delta as the strong northeast surface gradient weakens. As of 200 AM, Travis Air Force is reporting northeast gusts 30 to 40 mph. Meanwhile over the mountains and foothills, observed wind gusts range from 35 to 45 mph. North to east flow will steadily diminish through the day as the upper level trough ejects southward over Baja California. As upper level ridging begins to dominate the pattern, broad northerly flow aloft and will continue to produce periodically breezy north to east winds through the remainder of the week. This pattern will additionally lend to temperatures trending 5 to 10 degrees above normal as we approach the weekend. Gusty north to east flow returns this weekend as a weak trough quickly drops into the Great Basin, tightening north to east surface gradient. The National Blend of Models (NBM) indicates a 40 to 60% chance of gusts greater than 40 mph through the Valley and Delta. While along the peaks of the Sierra, there a 60 to 80% chance of gusts greater than 40 mph. These winds are expected to be weaker compared to this current wind event, but uncertainty still exists in the low`s track and steepness of the resultant gradient. Stay tuned! && .EXTENDED DISCUSSION (Sunday THROUGH Wednesday)... EPAC upper ridging progged to build inland over the West Coast through the extended period with trapped upper low residing off the SoCal coast by midweek. Dry weather expected with gusty north to east wind at times through early Wednesday. Above normal high temperatures expected with upper 50s to lower 60s in the Central Valley and 40s to 50s in the foothills and mountains. && .AVIATION... VFR conditions over interior NorCal next 24 hrs except lcl MVFR/IFR in BR possible in S Sac/N San Joaquin Vlys aft 06z Thu. Sfc wind mainly at or below 12 kts except lcl N-E sfc wind 15-25 kts with gusts to 35 kts in N and E foothills/mtns. && .STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until 7 AM PST this morning for Carquinez Strait and Delta-Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley-Southern Sacramento Valley-West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen Park. && $$