Sacramento had the third driest first two months of the year since rain totals were recorded downtown.
Only 1.32 inches of precipitation was recorded in January and February in Sacramento, according to the National Weather Service. That places 2013 in third behind 1889 (.48) and 1920 (1.10).
Here's the top eight driest starts to a new year from the NWS:
• 1889: .48 of an inch
• 1920: 1.10 inches
• 2013: 1.32
• 1948: 1.39
• 1971: 1.43
• 1946: 1.67
• 1984: 1.75
• 1976: 1.86
Today will be rain-free and warm, the daytime high in downtown Sacramento close to the record for March 1 of 76 degrees. That mark was set in 1911.
Look for a weather system to roll into the area beginning on Tuesday night, perhaps delivering an inch of rain to the valley and a foot of snow to the Sierra before it is all over.
The detailed, 7-day forecast from NWS forecasters for the Sacramento region:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Calm wind.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between 10pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Tuesday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Tuesday night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Wednesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Wednesday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
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