Georgetown CA Weather Forecast: Why January is Looking Weirdly Dry This Year

You’ve probably seen the "Divide" from a distance, that jagged skyline where the foothills of El Dorado County finally start to feel like the real-deal mountains. Georgetown is basically perched right on that edge. Honestly, if you live here or you're planning a trip up to Wentworth Springs Road, you know the Georgetown CA weather forecast is a fickle beast. One minute it’s sunny, the next you’re digging out of a surprise dusting of Sierra cement.

But right now? Things are quiet. Like, unusually quiet.

What is happening in Georgetown right now?

If you stepped outside this morning, you felt it. The air is crisp, but it’s not that "I need three layers and a parka" kind of cold. At 49°F right now, with clear skies stretching from here to the Rubicon Trail, we’re in the middle of a massive dry spell.

The current humidity is sitting at a comfortable 42%, and we’ve got a light southeast breeze at 8 mph. It’s perfect hiking weather, provided you don't mind the fact that it feels about 45°F when that wind actually hits you.

Georgetown CA Weather Forecast: The Next 10 Days

Basically, if you were hoping for a massive snowstorm to fill up the reservoirs or justify buying those new snow tires, you're gonna have to wait. We are looking at a "high pressure ridge" situation that is blocking everything.

Thursday, January 15, 2026
Today is going to be the peak of this mini-heatwave (if you can call 60s in January a heatwave). Expect a high of 67°F. It’s gonna be sunny, bright, and honestly feels more like March than mid-winter. The low will drop back down to 49°F tonight under clear skies.

Friday, January 16, 2026
Almost a carbon copy of today. High of 65°F, low of 41°F. If you’re heading out to the Georgetown Ranger Station, it’s a great day for it. Just remember that once the sun dips behind the pines, that temperature cratering is real.

The Weekend Outlook
Saturday starts to bring in some clouds. We’re looking at a high of 65°F, but the night might get a little gloomy with some cloud cover and a 10% chance of a stray sprinkle. Sunday follows suit: partly sunny with a high of 64°F.

🔗 Read more: Worldly Gray Explained: Why This Specific Greige Is Taking Over Your Home

The Long-Term Slide
As we move into next week, the temperatures start a slow, painful crawl back toward reality.

  1. Monday: 62°F and sunny.
  2. Tuesday: 63°F, mostly clear.
  3. Wednesday: 60°F, with a tiny 15% chance of rain at night.
  4. Late Next Week: We finally drop into the mid-50s (High 56°F) by Thursday and Friday.

Why Georgetown weather is different (and why the forecast often misses)

Georgetown sits at an elevation of about 2,667 feet. That is a weird spot to be in. In the weather world, we call it the "transition zone."

Basically, you’re too high to be a valley town but too low to be a true alpine village like Tahoe. This leads to a phenomenon called orographic lifting. When moist air from the Pacific hits the foothills, it's forced upward. As it rises, it cools and dumps rain—or snow—right on top of us.

Historical data from the Georgetown Ranger Station shows we usually see about 8.3 inches of snow in January. This year? We're currently sitting at zero for the month. It’s a stark contrast to the legendary winters like the 1995 storms or even the "New Year's Flood" of 1997 that locals still talk about at the corner bars.

The Snow Misconception

A lot of people think Georgetown is a snow town. It is... sort of. While we average about 17 to 29 inches of snow a year depending on which station you trust (the Ranger Station vs. downtown), it rarely stays on the ground for more than a few days.

Unlike Placerville, which sits lower, we get the "pretty snow" that actually sticks to the trees. But unlike Pollock Pines, we don't usually get buried for weeks.

Real-world tips for the current forecast

If you're looking at the Georgetown CA weather forecast for the next week, here is the honest truth on how to prep:

  • Layer up for the "Sun Dip": With clear skies, the temperature drop at sunset is aggressive. You’ll go from a t-shirt at 3:00 PM to a heavy flannel by 5:15 PM.
  • Watch the North Wind: We’re seeing a lot of 5-7 mph winds from the North/Northeast. It sounds light, but in the canyon areas around the Middle Fork American River, that wind can whip up and make it feel 10 degrees colder than the thermometer says.
  • Dryness Hazard: It’s January, but it’s dry. The humidity is hovering around 40-50%. Keep an eye on local fire restrictions even in winter; the brush is surprisingly crispy right now.

Looking ahead at the 10-day trend, the "Divide" is staying dry. Enjoy the sun while it lasts, because when the pattern finally breaks in February (historically our wettest month with 5.9 inches of rain), it usually breaks with a vengeance.

Next Steps for You
Check your outdoor pipes tonight. Even though it's 67°F today, we’re hitting 36°F and 37°F by the middle of next week. If you haven't wrapped your exposed plumbing yet, do it this weekend while the sun is still out.