How hot will it get on Memorial Day in Sacramento? Here’s your weekend forecast

Temperatures are warming up in Sacramento, just in time for Memorial Day.

The capital city will be warm with clear skies during the holiday weekend, according to the National Weather Service?

Temperatures are forecast to be “above normal” on Memorial Day, Sara Purdue, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said Thursday.

Here is a breakdown of what to expect over the holiday weekend.

What’s in the weather forecast for Sacramento?

On Thursday, Sacramento will see a high temperature of 84 degrees and an overnight low temperature of 53 degrees, according to the weather service’s seven-day forecast.

The temperature on Friday will reach a high of 70 before dipping to 54, the weather service said.

There is a possibility of some breezy winds on Friday, too.

Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high of 75 and a low of 51, according to the weather service.

Things begin to heat up Sunday, when the high is forecast to reach 83 degrees. The overnight low will dip to 53.

Overnight temperatures for the weekend will be “pretty typical” for this time of year, Purdue said.

What about Memorial Day?

Monday, Memorial Day, will be clear in the capital city with a high of 88, according to the weather service, with the low dipping to 55.

Temperatures will stay warm in Sacramento, with highs remaining “pretty consistent” in the high 80s, Purdue said.

Tuesday and Wednesday are both forecast to be sunny with highs reaching 88 and lows at around 56 for both days, according to the weather service.

Is it safe to swim in Northern California waterways?

Despite the warmer temperatures, it’s still not considered safe to swim in Northern California get into Sacramento’s local waterways, Purdue said.

“Obviously it’s gonna be getting warmer starting over the weekend and into next week,” Purdue said.

“We want people to be careful around waterways,” she said. “Rivers are still really fast and cold right now. So even though it’s hot outside, it can be dangerous to jump in the water.”

Because they’re fed by melting snow from the Sierra Nevada, the waterways tend to be chilly.

Low water temperatures — starting at about 50 to 60 degrees — can affect your ability to breathe and move your limbs, weather service meteorologist Chelsea Peters told The Sacramento Bee in 2023.

How to stay safe in the water

Below are some tips, from the California Department of Water Resources to stay prepared, if you find yourself in a situation where you must enter the water:

Plan ahead

• Check the status of the park you’re planning to visit before you leave your home, as there could be restrictions and guidelines in place. Consider sharing your GPS coordinates with a friend in case of an emergency.
• You can also check for river conditions on the Department of Water Resources page.

Know the water

• It’s best to refrain from getting into fast-running, cold water. If you see someone who needs rescuing, either throw something that floats or call 911 for help.

Know your limits

• Cold running water can be difficult to navigate, even for more experienced swimmers. The cold water temperatures can be a shock to the body.

Life jackets

• Wearing a life vest is always advised.

Supervise

• Keep a close eye on family and friends if you plan to be around flowing water.

This story was originally published May 23, 2024 at 12:22 PM.