Unusual amount of rain may hit Sacramento from Alaska storm. Here’s how much is expected
The Sacramento area is gearing up for an unusual amount of rainfall for this time of year.
Downtown Sacramento through the Sacramento Valley could see up to two inches of rain between Saturday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms will likely be paired with rain showers, creating longer commute times and slick roads.
“If you compare it to rain in February or January or the height of winter,” said meteorologist Cory Mueller with the National Weather Service “it would be pretty standard.”
“But for September, it’s quite unusual to see that amount of rain.”
The culprit: the Alaska Storm.
One of the worst storms to hit Alaska in half a century will trickle to western parts of the U.S throughout the weekend, bringing damaging winds and heavy rainfall. Neighboring cities including San Francisco, Stockton, Modesto and South Lake Tahoe will see one to two inches of rain by Wednesday, the National Weather Service wrote on Twitter.
When is the last time Sacramento had rain?
The last time Sacramento recorded any rainfall was June 5 at less than half an inch. The last time half an inch of rain was measured in a single day was on March 28.
The last time the region saw significant rainfall was Dec. 13, when two inches of rain fell in one day across the region. Then, another inch of rain scattered across the area on Dec. 23, 2021.
“This could be the most rain we’ve really seen since December,” Mueller said. “If we do actually see the one to two inches. Early season storms, confidence can be a little shaky.”
Sacramento weather forecast
Here’s a look at Sacramento’s forecast leading into the weekend, as of Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. For up-to-date forecasts, check back at weather.gov:
Friday | High near 85 degrees
Sunny with winds around 6 mph.
Friday night | Low around 57 degrees
mostly clear with winds up to 9 mph.
Saturday | High near 79 degrees
Sunny with with wind up to 14 mph.
Saturday night | Low around 59 degrees
Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers after 11 p.m. Wind up to 15 mph with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Sunday | High near 69 degrees
A 80% chance of rain showers with wind up to 13 mph.
Sunday night | Low around 60 degrees
A 90% chance of rain showers.
Monday | High near 72 degrees
A 80% chance of rain showers with possible thunderstorms after 11 a.m.
Monday night | Low 57 degrees
Rain showers and possible thunderstorms before 11 p.m.
Tuesday | High near 74 degrees
Partly sunny, with a chance of rain showers.
Tuesday night | Low of 57 degrees
Partly cloudy, with a slight chance of rain showers.
Wednesday |High near 78 degrees
Mostly sunny, with a chance of showers.
Wednesday night | High near 57 degrees
Mostly clear.
Thursday |High near 83 degrees
Sunny.
This story was originally published September 16, 2022 at 1:21 PM.