textproduct: Sacramento

KEY MESSAGES

- Potential for strong to severe thunderstorms in the northern Sacramento Valley and Sierra mountains/foothills this afternoon and evening. Primary hazards: 1 inch hail, weak tornadoes.

- Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 5 AM Wednesday to 8 AM Thursday for the western slopes of the Sierra above 6000 feet.

- A quick-moving system brings precipitation, thunderstorm chances, and breezy to gusty south winds to the area today through Thursday AM.

- North to east winds develop on Friday, with dry and warm weather continuing into the weekend accompanied by Minor HeatRisk.

..Friday-Monday

By Friday, we will begin to dry out as the weather system moves into the Northern Plains and ridging builds over the eastern Pacific and Pacific northwest. This will allow for drying and north to east winds to develop across the area. Current NBM probabilities of 35 mph or more on Friday are around 60-90% along and west of the I-5 corridor. High temperatures are forecast to rise back into low to mid 80s in the Valley by Saturday and through early next week, prompting the return of Widespread Minor HeatRisk in the Valley on Sunday.

AVIATION

General MVFR to VFR conditions over the next 24 hours across the area from -SHRA and additional cloud cover. Periods of IFR to MVFR conditions possible over the northern Sac. Valley from 18z Tues to 03z Wed from scattered thunderstorms over the area. South to southwest gusts 10 to 20 kts, up to 30 kts over the northeastern foothills into 12z Wed before increasing to 15 to 30 kts north of Interstate 80 through 18z Wed. Gusty winds 20 to 40 kts over the Sierra into 12z Wed before increasing to 35 to 45 kts through 18z Wed.

STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Weather Advisory from 5 AM Wednesday to 8 AM PDT Thursday for West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada.