Sacramento is facing a significant rain event today through Wednesday, with showers and thunderstorms expected to drench the Valley with moderate to heavy rainfall and cooler temperatures.
Tonight & Tuesday: Buckle Down for the Storm
If you’re heading out around midnight or early morning, expect rain before 5 AM, followed by showers and thunderstorms throughout the night. Overnight lows will dip to around 54°F with southeast winds around 3 mph. The National Weather Service is calling for a 90% chance of precipitation, with 0.5 to 0.75 inches of new rainfall possible.
Tuesday is the main event. Showers and thunderstorms will kick off early morning and persist through the afternoon, with a near 100% precipitation chance. Temperatures will struggle to reach 59°F before falling back to around 57°F by afternoon. The Weather Prediction Center has flagged a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall for Sacramento, meaning some isolated flash flooding is possible due to heavy convective rain bands and rapid runoff from the Sierra Nevada foothills into our valley. This is particularly concerning for low-lying areas near the American and Sacramento Rivers.
What to do: Stay alert to weather updates. Avoid driving through flooded roads—turn around, don’t drown. If you’re planning any outdoor activities downtown near the Capitol grounds or along the Parkway, reschedule for Thursday. Keep your phone charged and consider a waterproof phone pouch to keep it safe during the deluge.
Gear Up for the Wet
You’ll want to layer smartly. A packable rain jacket is essential—something you can throw in your car or backpack. If you’re planning to walk around Midtown or head to the farmers market, bring a compact travel umbrella. For kids heading to school, rain boots will keep their feet dry on the playground (if they’re even outside). And if you’re serious about staying dry during your commute or outdoor work, waterproof hiking boots are a solid investment.
Tuesday Night Game Alert: Sacramento Republic FC
The Sacramento Republic FC takes on the Philadelphia Union at BMO Field on Wednesday, April 22nd. While Wednesday looks better than Tuesday, showers and thunderstorms will linger through early morning, clearing by midday. If you’re planning to attend, bring rain gear and arrive early—parking lots may be muddy. Tailgating conditions will be damp but doable by game time.
Comfort Food Weather
With rain expected all day, this is perfect slow-cooker chili or beef stew weather. Set it and forget it—your home will smell amazing when you return from work. A big pot of vegetable soup is another cozy option. Did you know you can order groceries on Amazon? Get everything you need for tonight’s dinner delivered straight to your door.
Looking Ahead
Wednesday will gradually improve as the system moves east, with a high near 65°F and just a 24% precipitation chance. By Thursday, we’ll see mostly dry weather returning. It’s a wet couple of days ahead, folks—stay safe out there.
