Sacramento, Calif. – Drivers and residents should prepare for a wet Thursday afternoon as showers and thunderstorms may hit the Sacramento region on Patriot Day, September 11. Rainfall could affect travel on Highway 99 and I-5, bringing slick roads and delays during afternoon and evening events.
According to the National Weather Service, storms could develop after 2 p.m. Thursday, with rainfall totals under a tenth of an inch but locally higher in thunderstorms. The agency warns that sudden downpours may reduce visibility and create hazardous driving conditions during peak commuter hours.
The timing coincides with Patriot Day ceremonies, meaning outdoor events could see interruptions. Organizers and attendees should monitor conditions closely and have indoor alternatives ready. Residents planning evening travel should allow extra time and slow down on wet pavement.
After Thursday’s system, dry and warmer weather quickly returns. Friday through early next week will bring abundant sunshine, light winds, and highs climbing into the upper 80s and 90s. While Thursday’s storms may be brief, the sharp change to drier weather will highlight the transition into fall patterns across Northern California.
Emergency officials recommend avoiding unnecessary travel during storm windows, keeping headlights on in rain, and securing outdoor items that could blow in gusty winds.
Conditions will stabilize after Thursday, but updates from the National Weather Service remain possible if storms intensify.
Five-Day Forecast for Sacramento, Calif.:
- Thursday: Showers and storms possible after 2 p.m., high 82, low 59.
- Friday: Sunny, high 88, low 60.
- Saturday: Sunny, high 88, low 58.
- Sunday: Sunny, high 85, low 59.
- Monday: Sunny, high 89, low 61.
