Sacramento rolled into Friday, July 10 with clear skies and a crisp start near 61°F at Sacramento International Airport. That cool comfort will not last long. Temperatures are set to jump quickly into the low 90s this afternoon, with a high near 91°F. South-southwest winds will strengthen through the day, which can make it feel a bit hotter than the thermometer suggests. By tonight, readings dip back into the upper 50s.
According to the National Weather Service Sacramento, south-southwest winds of 6 to 12 mph are expected today with gusts up to about 21 mph. Combined with marginally low daytime humidity, that setup will bring elevated fire-weather conditions Friday afternoon and evening. The forecast keeps things mostly dry through the weekend while temperatures trend upward into next week. Folks in the valley and nearby foothills are urged to keep an eye on conditions and go easy on any outdoor spark-producing activities.
Afternoon Winds Pack A Bit Of A Punch
By this afternoon, south winds across the valley should ramp up to around 10 mph with gusts into the 20s, and parts of the northern Sacramento Valley could see even higher gusts. That breeze may feel nice, but it also makes yard work, grilling and power-tool use riskier, so avoid open burning and be cautious with anything that can throw off sparks. Expect those gusty conditions to hang around through the evening commute.
Weekend Warmup And Midweek Heat Spike
Temperatures climb steadily through the weekend, with a high near 96°F on Saturday and mid-90s expected Sunday and Monday before a stronger heat surge arrives. Forecast guidance shows highs reaching about 101°F on Tuesday, July 14 and again on Wednesday, July 15, raising the odds of widespread Moderate HeatRisk across the valley. Our earlier coverage of the warming trend is available in our report on searing heat.
Sierra Thunderstorms On The Table
Late Sunday night into Monday morning (July 12 to 13), a push of monsoonal moisture may reach the Sierra and trigger scattered mountain thunderstorms, mainly south of I-80. Confidence is still low that storms will spread into the valley, but lightning and brief heavy downpours remain on the table over higher terrain. If you have plans in the foothills or Sierra next week, keep tabs on the forecast and be ready for conditions to flip quickly.
How To Handle The Heat And Wind
Plan on staying hydrated, and try to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the afternoon. Delay nonessential outdoor burning while winds stay gusty. Check on older neighbors, keep pets shaded and cool, and shift events to earlier or later in the day when possible. For ongoing updates and any changes to heat or fire-weather messaging, consult the National Weather Service Sacramento and local emergency information.
