Sacramento rain isn’t done yet. After storm weakens, here’s the latest forecast
Don’t be fooled by the calm skies. Rain will still pour down in Sacramento Thursday into at least next week, according to forecasts.
A major storm event was expected to begin Wednesday, resulting in a flood watch until Friday morning. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency in response to the intense atmospheric river that was forecasted to pummel Northern California.
Sacramento appears to have dodged a bullet, compared to the intense storm that hit the San Francisco Bay Area, where wind gusts at speeds up to 101 mph led to evacuations, power outages for nearly 80,000 residents and toppled trees.
“The brunt of the current system has moved through with the peak in winds and rain now behind us,” the National Weather Service in stated in a Sacramento area forecast discussion Thursday. “However, showery and breezy weather will continue today in the post-frontal airmass.”
According to the service, downtown Sacramento saw 0.37 inches of rain Wednesday, with strong winds up to 45 to 60 mph. The system will continue to weaken, as reported in the forecast discussion, but more strong storms are expected over the weekend and early next week, bringing heavy precipitation, snow and winds. There may be threats of flooding and disruptions to mountain travel.
Latest forecasts
The weather service forecasts that there’s a chance of thunderstorms and heavy rain, possibly amounting to 0.25 to 0.50 inches, throughout the day Thursday. Wind gusts are expected to be as high as 24 mph. Thursday’s high is around 52 and the low is near 44.
The area’s flood advisory was extended southeast, including parts of western El Dorado County. The service advises motorists to not drive through flooded roads and be extra careful driving at night.
For Friday, temperatures are forecast with a high of about 57 and a low near 48. There’s a chance of rain starting after 11 a.m. Wind speeds are up to 10 mph during the day and up to 20 mph at night.
Rain is following through to the weekend at an 80% chance on Saturday and a 90% chance on Sunday. Highs are around 53 and lows are near 50 for both days. There’s a chance of rain headed into next week.
This story was originally published January 5, 2023 at 8:56 AM.