As of 5:35 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, Sacramento was sitting under clear skies at about 45°F, with light winds and high humidity. Sunshine is expected to nudge afternoon highs into the mid to upper 60s, topping out near 67°F by midafternoon. That brief stretch of dry, pleasant weather will not last long, with a wetter pattern moving in late Monday night and a generally warmer week beyond that.
Timing And Rain Details
Rain is likely late Monday night and should become more widespread Tuesday into early Wednesday. Most valley locations are expected to pick up a few tenths of an inch of rain, roughly 0.1 to 0.5 inches, while the foothills and higher terrain could see closer to 1 to 3 inches.
Snow levels are forecast to stay elevated, generally above about 6,000 feet Monday and climbing toward 8,000 to 9,000 feet Tuesday, so almost everything that falls in the Valley will be warm rain instead of snow. Southeast to southerly winds may turn breezy on Tuesday, with the strongest gusts focused in the northern valley and northeast foothills, around 20 to 30 mph. According to the National Weather Service Sacramento, both rainfall totals and wind projections have trended lower in the latest forecast update.
Commute And Local Prep
Drivers should gear up for a soggy Tuesday morning commute, with ponding on roads, reduced visibility and slower freeway speeds among the most likely headaches. For local guidance and county resources such as sandbag pickup sites, check out our earlier coverage in one glorious dry Sunday.
If you have patio furniture, trash bins or other outdoor items that could blow around in gusty conditions, it is a good idea to secure them Monday night. Plan for extra travel time on Tuesday, and be prepared for small branches coming down and brief power interruptions in the windier pockets of the region.
Quick Tips
Bring an umbrella, make sure your windshield wipers and tires are in good shape, and avoid driving through standing water. If a road looks flooded, turn around instead of trying your luck. Keep an eye on updates from local officials and the National Weather Service if your plans take you into the foothills or Sierra, where travel conditions can change quickly.
