Weekend forecast calls for overnight lows at or below freezing

After a day of record-breaking rainfall Thursday, the Sacramento region is bracing for several days of low temperatures at or below freezing.

Storm drenches Sacramento, north state, puts a dent in drought

The overnight low Friday is expected to be around 32 degrees, but Saturday’s overnight temperatures are expected to drop a few degrees, said Craig Shoemaker, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. A freeze watch is in effect from late Saturday through early Sunday for the Sacramento Valley from Red Bluff to Stockton, he said. The coldest temperatures – around 29 degrees in Sacramento – are expected early Sunday.

“They can cause a little more damage to sensitive plants,” Shoemaker said.

A low of 32 degrees is forecast for Sunday night and 34 degrees for Monday night before moving up to 40 degrees by Wednesday morning.

The temperature topped out at 55 degrees Friday in downtown Sacramento. Saturday’s daytime high is expected to be about 49 degrees, with a high of 52 forecast for Sunday.

Thursday’s storm brought fresh snow to the Sierra Nevada region, with some areas reporting as much as 12 inches of white powder. The National Weather Service warned those heading to the area that cold temperatures in the single digits are predicted for the weekend. Highs for the mountains are expected to stay in the 20s to lower 30s. A low of 4 degrees is forecast Saturday night for Truckee and 3 degrees Sunday night.

A rainstorm pounded much of the state Thursday, putting another dent in California’s five-year drought.

Fresh data showed California is making progress against the drought. The National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln., Neb., reported Thursday that 27 percent of the state was drought free, mainly in the far northern counties and the Bay Area.

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This story was originally published December 16, 2016 at 7:15 AM with the headline "Weekend forecast calls for overnight lows at or below freezing."