Rain returns to Sacramento forecast, drenching hope for spring heat and sunny skies

The weather system is quickly changing, as forecasts in the Sacramento area now predict rain, after previously showing mid-70 degree temperatures and sunny skies.

From Thursday to Friday, there may be isolated or scattered showers north of the Interstate 80, according to the National Weather Service.

Craig Shoemaker, a meteorologist with the national agency, said we have an incoming weak weather system.

“It’s not a particularly strong one,” he said, “... that’s dropping down across the Pacific Northwest and we’re going to kind of be on the southern end of it here.”

This means there won’t be a lot of precipitation in the Sacramento area, he said. Most of it will be up north over the northern Sacramento Valley, towards Redding, the foothills and in the northern Sierra.

Snow is also likely in the Sierra Thursday night and Friday — up to six inches, Shoemaker said.

Temperatures are expected to slowly inch up through the week, but are no longer forecast to reach 78 degrees. Rain is expected to leave the forecast after Monday.

Latest Sacramento forecast

After Wednesday’s sun and high of 63 degrees, expect mostly cloudy skies for the rest of the week.

Thursday is forecast to have a high near 65 and low near 50 with a 20% chance of shower at night.

Friday has a 30% chance of showers throughout the day, mainly before 11 p.m. The high is near 65 and low around 54.

Possible showers continue through Saturday and Sunday and into Monday. Weekend highs go up to 69 and lows down to 53.

Monday will have the warmest high at 70 — even with a “slight” chance of showers.

This story was originally published April 5, 2023 at 8:52 AM.