You've probably looked at your phone today and seen that little sun icon for Sacramento. Honestly, it feels like we’re finally catching a breather after the chaotic start to 2026. Remember just a couple of weeks ago? We had that massive atmospheric river dumping two inches of rain on the city in a single weekend, and a delivery driver actually had to be rescued from two feet of water near Kiefer Boulevard. It was a mess. But if you’re looking at the sacramento weather 14 day forecast, things are looking weirdly... stable.
Kinda.
Basically, we’re stuck under what meteorologists call a stationary ridge. This thing is acting like a giant lid over the Central Valley. While the rest of the country is currently getting hammered by a polar air mass—I'm talking record-breaking Arctic blasts in the Midwest—we are just sitting here in a gray, foggy bubble.
The Tule Fog Trap: What the Forecast Won't Tell You
Here is the thing about Sacramento in late January. You see "sunny" on the 14-day outlook and you think, "Great, park day!" Not so fast.
👉 See also: Finding the University of Arizona Address: It Is Not as Simple as You Think
Because that high-pressure ridge is amplifying, it’s creating a perfect recipe for Tule fog. The National Weather Service in Sacramento is already calling for a 50-70% chance of visibilities dropping below a half-mile. Today, Thursday, January 15, we’re looking at a high of 60°F and a low of 38°F. But if you’re in the heart of the Valley, that "sunny" forecast might just be a thick blanket of gray that doesn't burn off until 2:00 PM.
It’s a classic Sacramento inversion.
The air is actually warmer up in the Sierra foothills right now than it is on the valley floor. If you want actual Vitamin D, you literally have to drive up to Auburn or Placerville to get above the stratus layer. Down here, it’s just damp and chilly.
✨ Don't miss: The Recipe With Boiled Eggs That Actually Makes Breakfast Interesting Again
The Breakdown for the Next Two Weeks
Let’s look at the actual numbers because they’re surprisingly consistent. We are in a weirdly dry stretch for what is historically our wettest month.
- This Weekend (Jan 17-18): Expect more of the same. Highs will hover right around 60°F with lows near 40°F. It'll be cloudy Saturday and Sunday, with just a 10% chance of rain. Basically, it's "sweatshirt weather" all day long.
- Next Week (Jan 19-21): Monday through Wednesday looks like a carbon copy of this week. We’re talking highs of 58°F to 59°F. The humidity is sitting at a whopping 100% some mornings, so expect that "wet" cold that sinks into your bones.
- The Turning Point (Jan 22-25): This is where it gets interesting. The ridge finally starts to break down. Thursday, January 22, brings a better chance of actual rain—about 10% to 20%—with temperatures dropping slightly to a high of 57°F. By the following weekend, we might actually see some real precipitation as a new system tries to push through the Pacific.
Is La Niña Finally Giving Up?
Everyone was freaking out about La Niña earlier this winter. Usually, La Niña means a dry winter for California, but 2026 has been a total rebel. We had those relentless storms in November and December that completely defied the "dry" rule of thumb.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, there is a 75% chance we transition to "ENSO-neutral" (the "La Nada" phase) between now and March. What does that mean for your backyard? It means the weather is going to be even less predictable than usual. The sacramento weather 14 day forecast shows us staying dry for the next seven days, but the long-range models for the end of January are starting to hint at another wet pattern.
🔗 Read more: Finding the Right Words: Quotes About Sons That Actually Mean Something
Honestly, don't pack away the umbrellas just because the next week looks clear. The ground is still pretty saturated from the atmospheric river on January 4th. Even a moderate storm could bring back some of those localized flooding issues we saw in Elk Grove and Stockton earlier this month.
How to Actually Prepare
If you're living through this 14-day stretch, you need to change how you think about "winter" weather.
- Headlights on, even at noon. If the Tule fog is thick, people can't see your silver SUV.
- Layers are your best friend. You'll leave the house at 8:00 AM in 38°F dampness and by 3:00 PM it might actually be a beautiful 60°F day.
- Check the air quality. These stagnant ridges trap more than just fog; they trap wood smoke and exhaust. If you have asthma, keep an eye on the sensors.
The Sacramento River at the I Street Bridge is currently sitting at 25.1 feet. That’s well below the flood stage of 33.5 feet, so there’s no immediate danger there. But with the Yolo Bypass still showing some overflow, the valley is still very much in "winter mode" even if the sun is technically out.
Keep your eye on Thursday, January 22. That looks like the day the "gray lid" finally pops and we see some movement in the atmosphere again. Until then, enjoy the quiet, even if it is a little bit soggy and mysterious.
Next Steps for You:
- Check your windshield wipers today. After the dry week, the grime buildup combined with the morning fog will make visibility a nightmare once those "sprinkles late" hit next Thursday.
- If you're planning a hike, aim for the 2,000-foot elevation mark to get above the Valley fog.