Honestly, if you've lived in the Valley for more than a week, you know the Drill. One day you're scraping frost off the windshield at 6 AM, and by noon, you’re wondering if you actually need that North Face puffer or if a light hoodie would've been the smarter move.
The extended forecast for sacramento ca is basically a masterclass in atmospheric indecision.
Right now, as we push through mid-January 2026, the vibe is "mostly cloudy" with a side of "don't put your umbrella away just yet." We just crawled out from under a Level 3 atmospheric river that peaked around January 5th. That storm was no joke. It dumped enough rain to prompt a water rescue near Kiefer Boulevard and forced the first-ever closure of the Smith Canal Gate in Stockton.
But what’s actually happening for the rest of the month?
The 10-Day Outlook: A Brief Window of "California Winter"
If you’re looking at the immediate extended forecast for sacramento ca, things are actually looking pretty decent, at least compared to the chaos of early January.
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For the week of January 18 through January 24, we’re seeing a steady trend. Highs are hovering between 58°F and 62°F. Lows are staying pretty consistent in the low 40s.
- Monday (Jan 19): Mostly sunny, high of 60°F.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): Partly cloudy, high of 65°F (the warmest day of the week).
- Friday (Jan 23): Back to full sun after a few overcast days, high of 61°F.
It’s that classic "room temperature" outdoor weather that makes people from the Midwest want to move here. But don't let the 65-degree Tuesday fool you into thinking spring is early.
Why the "La Niña" Transition Matters
There’s a lot of talk among meteorologists right now about the transition to ENSO-neutral conditions. Basically, La Niña is losing its grip.
According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, there’s a 75% chance we move into a neutral phase between now and March. For Sacramento, that usually means our weather patterns get even more unpredictable. Historically, a weak La Niña can go either way—it's either bone-dry or we get slammed by "The Big One."
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So far, 2026 is leaning wet.
We’re currently seeing about 141,416 square miles of snow cover across the West, which sounds like a lot, but it’s actually near record lows for this time of year. Because it’s been so warm, a lot of what should be snow in the Sierras is falling as rain. That’s great for the reservoirs in the short term, but kinda scary for the summer water supply.
Tule Fog: The Sacramento Special
You can't talk about the extended forecast for sacramento ca without mentioning the Tule fog.
It’s that thick, pea-soup stuff that rolls in when the ground is damp and the nights are clear. We’re in peak season for it. When the wind dies down to that 2-3 mph range we’re seeing this week, and the humidity sits up at 80% or 90%, the visibility can drop to zero in a heartbeat.
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If you’re commuting on I-5 or Hwy 99 early in the morning, watch out for the "black ice" patches when the temp dips to that 41°F low.
The Misconception About "Dry" Winters
People always think if it isn't raining, it’s a "dry" year. But in the Sacramento Valley, humidity tells a different story.
Even on the sunny days forecast for the end of January, humidity levels are expected to stay between 50% and 65%. It’s a damp cold. It’s the kind of cold that gets into your bones even when the thermometer says it’s 60 degrees.
Practical Steps for the Next Two Weeks
Don't get complacent just because the 10-day shows "mostly sunny" or "partly cloudy."
- Check your wipers now. After the heavy rain on the 5th, yours might be streaking. Replace them before the next 20% chance of rain hits on Friday.
- Layer like a pro. The 20-degree swing between the morning low (41°F) and the afternoon high (61°F) is the "Sacramento Sandwich." Base layer, mid-layer, and a shell you can toss in the backseat by 2 PM.
- Watch the Yolo Bypass. While the Sacramento River at I Street is currently around 25 feet (well below the 33.5-foot flood stage), the Fremont Weir is still showing some overflow. If you’re heading toward Davis, keep an eye on those "Water over Roadway" signs.
Basically, the extended forecast for sacramento ca shows we are in a temporary "dry" pocket, but the ground is still saturated. Any small system that rolls through in late January will have a bigger impact than it would in October. Enjoy the sun while it’s out, but keep the sandbags on your mind if you live in a low-lying area.