Is it going to snow in Sacramento? Here’s what the weather service says ahead of storm

Can it actually snow in Sacramento? Stranger things have happened in this city.

There’s a chance of snow before 9 a.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. For those excited about the possibility, know this: You probably won’t see much if any.

While flurries are technically written in Sacramento’s forecast, meteorologist Courtney Carpenter with the National Weather Service said there’s a low probability that flakes will fall and an even slimmer chance they will stick.

A hail-like substance called graupel is likely what hit the ground Wednesday afternoon in parts of Sacramento, but it didn’t graduate to snowfall as temperatures remained around 50 degrees.

The best chances of actual snow will be across the Northern Sacramento Valley, from Redding to Red Bluff. Western parts of the valley and foothills including Yolo County could also see some low elevation snow. If you plan to travel “very far” into the foothills, Carpenter said you’ll likely be hit with “heavy snow.”

Thunderstorms, rain, high wind and chilling morning temperatures, are a pretty sure thing for the city this week.

A wind advisory will go into effect for the region 10 a.m. Thursday to 4 p.m. Friday. Expect winds between 20 mph to 35 mph with gusts as high as 50 mph.

There’s a chance of rain before 9 a.m., according to the weather service’s seven-day forecast, then rain showers and thunder. Winds return with gusts as high as 25 mph and south winds between 13 mph and 18 mph.

Snow or no snow, be extra cautious on the roads this week.

“Those thunderstorms can drop accumulating small hail,” Carpenter said “which would kind of pile up on the roadways and would look like snow.”

Thursday night will likely bring more showers and thunderstorms. Be sure to secure loose objects because wind gusts could reach as high as 45 mph with south southeast winds between 16 and 25 mph.

Some advice: Bundle up this week, especially in the mornings. The morning lows are forecast to dance between the high 30s to low 40s.

Weather respite centers in Sacramento

The city of Sacramento is operating two weather respite centers 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. through Sunday, no appointment needed.

Here are the locations:

• 3615 Auburn Blvd. (up to 50 guests)
• 700 North Fifth St. (up to 20 guests, no pets)

If you need a free ride, Sacramento Regional Transit will take you to and from the weather respite centers through Saturday.

Sacramento weather forecast

Here’s a look at Sacramento forecast, according to the National Weather Service, as of Wednesday afternoon:

Thursday | High near 49 degrees

Mostly cloudy with a chance of Thunder, rain and snow. Wind gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday night | Low of 38 degrees

Chance of showers and thunderstorm. Wind gusts as high as 45 mph.

Friday | High near 48 degrees

Breezy with a chance of showers.

Friday night | Low of 35 degrees

Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and frost.

Saturday | High near 51 degrees

Mostly sunny with areas of frost.

Saturday night | Low of 40 degrees

Mostly cloudy.

Sunday | High near 49 degrees

Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers.

This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 2:20 PM.