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Rain is returning to Sacramento as temperatures dip, forecast says. How much will we get?

Rain is returning to the Sacramento area along with cooler temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency’s latest forecast calls for showers and high temperatures dipping as low as the high 70s.

“In terms of rain, we’re not expecting any large amounts — just a sprinkle,” National Weather Service meteorologist Sara Purdue said.

Rainfall amounts will range from less than a tenth of an inch to a quarter inch, Purdue said, with areas north of Interstate 80 and at higher elevations seeing the most precipitation.

Here’s when the rain could arrive:

Clouds roll over the Sacramento skyline, as seen from Sutter Health Field, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Rain is in the forecast in October 2024.
Clouds roll over the Sacramento skyline, as seen from Sutter Health Field, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Rain is in the forecast in October 2024. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com

What’s in the forecast for Sacramento?

Sacramento was expected to be partly sunny on Thursday with a high temperature near 84 and a low around 57, according to the weather service’s seven-day forecast.

The forecast for Friday calls for mostly sunny skies with a high near 83 and a low around 57.

CalPERS employee Sarah Sheppard carries a daisy umbrella stops to talk to a friend as light rain falls in downtown Sacramento on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.
CalPERS employee Sarah Sheppard carries a daisy umbrella stops to talk to a friend as light rain falls in downtown Sacramento on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com

When will the rain start?

On Saturday, there’s a 20% chance of showers after 11 a.m., the weather service said.

However, the day will be mostly sunny, with a high near 80 and an overnight low around 59.

Sunday will have a high near 80 and a low around 58.

On Monday, Columbus Day, Sacramento will see sunny skies, with a high near 79 and a low around 57.

More sunshine is expected Tuesday, when the high will be near 79.

Azaria Loya, of Sacramento, covers herself from the rain on Friday, March 1, 2024, on 22nd Street in midtown Sacramento.
Azaria Loya, of Sacramento, covers herself from the rain on Friday, March 1, 2024, on 22nd Street in midtown Sacramento. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com

Is there more wet weather on the way?

According to Purdue, the cooling trend will continue next week with high temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s.

“There is some potential mid-next week for some precipitation,” she said. “(Rain) will be fairly light — generally a tenth of an inch or less.”

However, there’s a chance temperatures could climb again.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center says there’s an above-normal chance of above-normal temperatures in Northern California from Oct. 16 to Oct. 22.

This story was originally published October 9, 2024 at 11:24 AM.

Sarah Linn
The Tribune
Sarah Linn is an editor and reporter on the West Service Journalism Team, working with journalists in Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, Merced and San Luis Obispo in California and Bellingham, Olympia and Tri-Cities in Washington, as well as Boise, Idaho. She previously served as the Local/Entertainment Editor of The Tribune in San Luis Obispo, working there for nearly two decades. A graduate of Oregon State University, she has earned multiple California journalism awards.
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