California — Headlights glow softly through gray haze as morning mist settles across the Sacramento Valley. Streetlights blur, brake lights smear red, and visibility tightens quickly on familiar roads. Conditions feel calm, but they demand attention.
Sacramento begins the day near 50°F with mist and reduced visibility around four miles. Patchy fog thickens in spots, especially along rivers, low-lying neighborhoods, and open farmland. The National Weather Service notes fog may linger into late morning before slowly lifting. Until then, travel remains cautious.
Drivers on I-5, Highway 99, and U.S. 50 encounter sudden visibility drops. Fog banks form without warning near on-ramps and overpasses. Slow down, increase following distance, and use low-beam headlights. This is peak season for chain-reaction crashes caused by surprise fog.
Skies brighten later today as fog thins. Sunshine breaks through, pushing highs near 58°F. The calm weather feels welcome, but moisture trapped near the ground returns tonight. Dense fog redevelops late, spreading across much of the valley through early Thursday.
Thursday and Friday stay mostly dry and mild. Afternoon highs reach the upper 50s to near 60°F, while nights cool into the low 40s. Each morning brings another chance of fog before midday clearing. Visibility changes fast, especially before sunrise and after dark.
By Saturday, clouds increase but conditions stay dry. Temperatures hold near 60°F, keeping winter travel manageable. Still, lingering moisture means slick pavement during early hours. Flash-freezing is unlikely here, but shaded roads can remain damp and slippery.
Looking ahead, NOAA’s 6–10 day outlook favors near-normal precipitation for Northern California with above-normal temperatures. That pattern supports continued mild days, cool nights, and recurring fog instead of storms.
For now, plan slower mornings and clearer afternoons. Give yourself extra time and stay alert where fog thickens suddenly. Are you seeing dense fog on your commute today? Let us know how conditions look where you are.
Five-Day Outlook for Sacramento, California
- Today: Morning fog, then partly sunny, high near 58°F
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 57°F
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, high near 60°F
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, high near 60°F
- Sunday: Cloudy, high near 59°F
