Honestly, if you've lived in the Valley long enough, you know that January is basically a coin toss between "gorgeous winter sun" and "I literally cannot see my own mailbox." As of Saturday, January 17, 2026, we’re squarely in the middle of the latter. The National Weather Service even dropped a dense fog advisory this morning because visibility in some spots hit a quarter-mile or less.
It's thick. It's grey. It's classic Sacramento.
The current sacramento ten day forecast looks like a slow-motion battle between a high-pressure ridge and the stubborn moisture trapped on the valley floor. While the rest of the country might be dealing with actual snow, we’re dealing with the "inversion layer"—that weird atmospheric phenomenon where the mountains are actually warmer than the city.
The numbers: What to expect through next week
Right now, we’re sitting at a humid 100% with a temperature of 41°F. It’s that damp, bone-chilling cold that somehow feels worse than a dry freeze. Here is how the next few days are shaping up according to the latest data:
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Today, we’re looking at a high of 59°F with mostly cloudy skies. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, actually looks like the "winner" of the week. We might hit 63°F with some actual sun peeking through. If you have outdoor chores or just want to remember what the sky looks like, Sunday is your window.
By Monday, the clouds settle back in. Highs will hover right around 59°F or 60°F for most of the week. Lows are staying remarkably consistent—expect to wake up to 38°F to 40°F every single morning. It’s sweater weather, through and through.
That stubborn Tule Fog isn't going anywhere
Why does it feel so stagnant? Basically, there's a "cap" on the valley. High pressure is sitting over us like a heavy lid, trapping the cool, moist air. This is why the mountains—places like Blue Canyon or even Donner Summit—can sometimes be 10 degrees warmer than downtown Sacramento in the afternoon.
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The NWS Area Forecast Discussion mentions that this ridge is staying put for at least the next seven days. While there’s a tiny 10-25% chance of light mountain rain or snow toward the end of next week, the Valley is likely to stay dry and grey.
We had that massive atmospheric river earlier in the month—remember the flood watches back on January 4th?—and that left plenty of ground moisture. That moisture is what's fueling this current fog cycle.
A quick look at the daily highs and lows:
- Sunday (Jan 18): High 63°F / Low 40°F (The warmest day!)
- Monday (Jan 19): High 59°F / Low 39°F (Back to the clouds)
- Tuesday (Jan 20): High 60°F / Low 38°F (Chilly start)
- Wednesday (Jan 21): High 60°F / Low 39°F
- Thursday (Jan 22): High 58°F / Low 41°F
Why this forecast matters for your drive
Driving the I-80 or Highway 99 corridors during a dense fog advisory is no joke. The NWS is pretty blunt about it: slow down and use your low beams. High beams just reflect off the water droplets and make it harder to see.
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Also, keep an eye on air quality. These inversion layers don't just trap fog; they trap pollutants too. We've already had multiple "Spare the Air" alerts this month because the air just isn't moving. If you have asthma or sensitive lungs, the middle of this ten-day stretch might be a good time to keep the windows shut.
What you should actually do with this info
Don't let the 60-degree highs fool you into thinking it's "warm." The humidity makes it feel much sharper.
Check your windshield wipers and headlights today. When the fog is this heavy, being seen is just as important as seeing. If you’re planning a trip up to the Sierra, expect much clearer skies and surprisingly mild temperatures compared to the valley floor—just watch for those gusty northeast winds in the canyons, which can hit 25 knots.
Stay safe out there, especially in the early morning hours when the visibility is at its worst. This pattern is likely to hold until a stronger system can finally kick that high-pressure ridge out to the east.