Sacramento is shaking off a cool 46°F start at Sacramento Executive Airport and heading for a quick warmup today. Clear skies will stick around, the sun will dominate, and afternoon highs are set to land in the mid 70s, helped along by light north northwest breezes around 5 to 7 mph. Tonight stays relatively mild for March, with lows mostly in the upper 40s to low 50s.
When The Heat Arrives
A broad ridge of high pressure is building over Northern California and is on track to push temperatures well above normal late this week. Highs are expected to reach about 76°F on Wednesday, jump to around 81°F on Thursday, and then hold in the low to mid 80s through the weekend. Forecasts even show a chance of upper 80s to around 90°F by next Tuesday. Winds should stay generally light, although exposed corridors and the Delta can turn noticeably breezier in the afternoon.
Heat Safety And Local Resources
Forecasters say the warm spell will bring a return of "Minor HeatRisk" to parts of the Valley starting Thursday, though no heat advisories are in effect at this time, according to the National Weather Service Sacramento. Older adults, infants, and anyone doing heavy outdoor work should try to schedule strenuous activity for the morning or evening, drink plenty of water, and spend the hottest part of the afternoon in air conditioned spaces. For information on cooling centers and when the county opens respite sites, call 2-1-1 or check Sacramento County.
Outdoors And Water Safety
The sunny stretch will make outdoor plans hard to resist, but local rivers and lakes are still cold, so extra caution is smart around open water, and life jackets are a must if you are heading out on a boat. No watches or warnings are currently in effect for Sacramento County, so for now this forecast is more about staying comfortable and heat safe than dealing with an immediate weather emergency.
