Rain is in the forecast for Sacramento as dry January draws to a close. How much will we get?
Splish splash, Sacramento!
The Sacramento area could see rain showers twice in coming days as a storm system from the tropics sweeps through the capital region, according to the National Weather Service.
The initial wave of rain is predicted to arrive Friday and last through Sunday, weather service meteorologist Sara Purdue said.
There is a 60% to 70% chance of at least an inch of rain over the weekend, she said.
A second wave of rain could sweep Sacramento starting Monday and continuing into Tuesday, according to Purdue.
She said Sacramento has a 50% chance of an inch or more of precipitation.
The rain arrives at the end of an unseasonably dry January.
As of Wednesday, the Sacramento area had only received 0.2 inches of rain so far in January, National Weather Service records show.
The area typically receives about 3.4 inches of rain in January, according to the weather service.
What’s in the forecast for Sacramento?
Wednesday was forecast to be sunny with a high temperature around 57 degrees and a low temperature of 35 degrees, according to the weather service’s latest seven-day forecast.
Thursday morning is expected to have patchy frost between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m., with the temperature rising to 57 degrees during the day.
A low of 42 is predicted as the rain arrives.
Low temperatures could rise as a warm rain system crosses the Valley, Purdue said, while high temperatures are expected to remain typical.
When will the rain arrive?
Friday is forecast to have a high near 54 and a low around 49. There is a 70% chance of showers after 10 a.m., rising to 90% overnight.
Saturday has an 80% chance of rain, with a high near 57 and a low around 51.
Sunday is expected to have a high near 61 and a low around 50. Showers are likely before 10 a.m. and there is a chance for more rain at night.
More showers are likely Monday, which will have a high near 58 and an overnight low around 46.
Rain could continue Tuesday, when the high is expected to near 56.
Purdue said the rain has potential to continue past Tuesday through the end of the week, noting that longer-range forecasts remain unclear.
Will the Sierra Nevada get snow?
This atmospheric system could bring between one to three inches of snow to the Sierra Nevada, the weather service reported.
According to a local forecast discussion, snow is expected to fall Friday at elevations around 5,000 feet and higher.
Snow levels will climb to elevations of 7,500 feet or higher by Saturday, the weather service said.
Between Sunday and Wednesday, there is a 40% to 60% chance of at least eight inches of snow at elevations of 6,000 feet or higher, according to the forecast discussion.
This story was originally published January 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM.
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