Sacramento started Saturday, April 25, on a crisp note, waking up to clear skies and cool air around 52°F (11°C). The chill will ease a bit this afternoon, with temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 60s, but a shift in the pattern is about to give the region a breezier, cooler vibe through the weekend. The real action will be in the higher terrain, where the mountains and upper foothills have the best shot at spotty showers and isolated thunderstorms over the next couple of days.
Afternoon Winds Ready To Roar
South to south-southwest winds are set to ramp up this afternoon and stay elevated into the weekend, generally running 5 to 12 mph with gusts near 20 mph today and even stronger gusts from Saturday into Sunday. The National Weather Service is flagging gusts of 15 to 25 mph across the Valley and Delta, with 30 to 40 mph possible over exposed mountain passes. Homeowners might want to lock down loose patio furniture, and drivers should be ready for some pushy crosswinds on those cross-valley commutes. For timing and more detail, check the National Weather Service.
Spotty Mountain Showers And Slippery Spots
A weak system is lining up to bring light, mainly mountain showers from Saturday into early next week, with the highest odds over northern Shasta County and along the Sierra crest. Some of the higher elevations could see anything from a quick dusting to a few inches of snow. Showers should be brief and scattered, but road surfaces could turn slick at times in the mountains, so drivers are urged to use caution and check conditions before heading uphill. We previously wrote about the area's early-April warmup; for context, read our earlier forecast on how Sacramento sizzles into low 80s.
What This Means For Your Weekend Plans
This weekend will feel noticeably cooler compared with that early-April heat surge, with daytime highs stuck in the mid 60s and nights dipping into the upper 40s to low 50s. The cooldown will not last long, though. Temperatures are expected to rebound by midweek, with highs climbing into the 70s on Tuesday and reaching around 80°F by Wednesday. That should make outdoor plans later in the week feel a lot more summery, especially for those staying in the Valley, while anyone heading into the mountains should keep an eye on the thunderstorm chances.
