Weather News

Has Sacramento seen last of rain and thunder? Here’s a look at the weather forecast

Rain clouds roll past the Sacramento skyline as seen from the Garden Highway near San Juan Road on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022.
Rain clouds roll past the Sacramento skyline as seen from the Garden Highway near San Juan Road on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. hamezcua@sacbee.com

Did you hear thunder Monday night, Sacramento?

Rain, lighting and thunder stretched across most of the capital region, said meteorologist Hannah Chandler-Cooley with the National Weather Service.

Residents were quick to post clips of Sacramento’s rare weather event to r/Sacramento Reddit forum.

One Reddit user posted a 15-second video of rain showers in downtown Sacramento. The post had 946 “upvotes” and nearly 80 comments.

Another Reddit user posted a four-second clip of a lighting strike in West Sacramento, cautioning people to stay safe. The post had 60 “upvotes” and five comments.

Lightning also struck on Sunday night, knocking out a traffic signal in East Sacramento, according to city officials.

Those who missed a glimpse of Sacramento’s uncommon weather will have to wait for the next storm to see a light show.

Chandler-Cooley said although rain showers and thunderstorms are forecast to drop over Sacramento after 11 a.m. Tuesday into Wednesday, the chances of seeing more lightning are unlikely.

There’s a 15% chance of thunderstorms and a 40% chance of rain Tuesday in the Sacramento area. The chances of rain Wednesday jump to 50%, according to the National Weather Service.

Recent weather radar

This live-updating map shows weather radar for Northern California. Press play to see the recent imagery.
Source: National Weather Service

“Anything that forms in the valley today,” Chandler-Cooley said “will be much more kind of isolated and scattered.”

Humidity and fog

Some areas received patchy fog Tuesday, a remnant of the moisture and humidity brought in by the storm.

“When we have enough of a wet ground and its really humid,” Chandler-Cooley said “it could cause some fog, especially in the overnight hours and the early mornings.”

Humidity levels around the capital region usually sit at about 20% to 30% during a typical Sacramento summer day. The area’s most recent weather event pushed the humidity levels well above 80%.

Sacramento weather forecast

Here’s a look at Sacramento’s forecast, as of Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. For up-to-date forecasts, check back at weather.gov:

Tuesday | High near 76 degrees

Partly sunny with a 40% chance of rain showers with possible thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Patchy fog before 10 a.m.

Tuesday night | Low of 60 degrees

Mostly cloudy, with a 30% chance of rain showers and thunderstorms.

Wednesday | High near 76 degrees

Partly sunny with a 50% chance of rain showers.

Wednesday night | Low of 57 degrees

Mostly clear.

Thursday | High near 80 degrees

Sunny.

Thursday night | Low of 57 degrees

Clear.

Friday | High near 84 degrees

Sunny.

Friday night | Low of 58 degrees

Clear.

Saturday | High near 88 degrees

Sunny.

Saturday night | Low of 59 degrees

Clear.

Sunday | High near 90 degrees

Sunny.

Sunday night | Low of 61 degrees

Mostly clear.

Monday | High near 89 degrees

Sunny.

This story was originally published September 20, 2022 at 10:59 AM.

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