Thunderstorms to sweep Sacramento area after heat. What’s next for forecast?
Thunderstorms could sweep through the Sacramento area after a string of scorching hot days, according to the National Weather Service.
There was a 10% to 20% chance for thunderstorms in the Sierra Nevada and Sacramento Valley on Wednesday, Sept. 24, the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office wrote in a Tuesday, Sept. 23, post.
The area south of Interstate 80 has the “best potential” to experience thunder in Wednesday afternoon and evening, the weather service wrote in a Tuesday, Sept. 23, post.
“Storm hazards include lightning, small hail, brief heavy rain and gusty winds,” the weather service said.
The possible thunderstorms come after parts of the Valley experienced high temperatures nearing 100 degrees, resulting in moderate heat risks in portions of the Delta, Valley and foothills.
On Monday and Tuesday, temperatures reached 95 degrees on Monday and 99 degrees on Tuesday in Sacramento highs.
Modesto saw highs of 93 degrees on Monday and 97 degrees on Tuesday and 100 degrees in Redding, Courtney Carpenter, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service, wrote in an email to the Sacramento Bee.
What’s next in the forecast? Here’s what to know:
What’s in the weather forecast for Sacramento?
The Sacramento area was expected to see “increasing clouds” and winds around 8 mph on Wednesday, with a high temperature near 87 degrees, according to the weather service’s latest seven-day forecast. On Wednesday night, there was a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms.
The temperature was expected to drop to 65 degrees overnight.
“Remember, when thunder roars, head indoors,” the National Weather Service said on X.
As skies start to clear, the temperature will rise, according to the forecast.
Thursday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 87 and a low around 60, the weather service said. There is a chance for isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Carpenter said it would be “hit or miss” so most areas may not see any rain but those that do can expect amounts up to 0.1 to 0.25.
There are currently no concerns about flooding in burn scars.
More sunny skies are expected Friday, when the high will near 93. The overnight low will be around 62.S
Saturday will have a high near 87, the weather service said, Sunday’s high will be near 79. The low temperature will drop to around 60 both days.
When will the rain return?
There’s a “chance of showers” on Monday, the weather service said in its latest forcast.
Monday will otherwise be partly sunny, with a high near 78 and a low around 59.
More rain could return Tuesday, which will be mostly sunny with a high near 78.
How common is 100-degree heat in September?
According to the National Weather Service, it’s “relatively common” for Sacramento to have 100-degree days in September especially at the beginning of the month.
These high temperatures become “less common as we move into the middle and end of the month” and Sacramento transitions into “more fall-like weather patterns,” Carpenter told The Bee via email.
However, when the right weather pattern develops — such as a ridge of high pressure overhead and off shore winds — 100-degree days can continue through the end of September, the weather service said.
Historically, Sept. 29 is the latest that Sacramento has experienced triple-digit temperatures in September, according to the weather service.
California’s capitol city recorded highs above 100 degrees on that day in 1966 and 2010, the weather agency said.
Will California see more warm weather this fall?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac said Californians should expect “steamy” trips to the pumpkin patch this fall.
The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center called for warmer-than-usual weather across most of California in October, November and December.
The chance of above-normal temperatures ranges from 33% to 50%, according to the latest three-month outlook.
“’Normal’ is based on the average of all temperatures from 1991 to 2020, the weather agency previously told The Sacramento Bee.
Specifically, the Climate Prediction Center predicted a 40% to 50% chance of “highs warmer than normal” from Oct. 1 to Oct. 7,” the National Weather Service said via email. “While that doesn’t mean it will be summer-like hot, there is a decent chance of warmer-than-normal highs to start October.”
This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 10:32 AM.
