Sacramento, Calif. – Patchy low clouds and areas of fog could briefly reduce visibility along I-5 and I-80 before 4 a.m. Tuesday, just as skywatchers step outside to view the total lunar eclipse.
According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, most of Northern California will see generally clear skies overnight, but localized low cloud development remains possible in parts of the Sacramento Valley. Cloud probabilities hover near 20% in portions of the valley, with slightly higher chances closer to the Delta and areas south toward Stockton. Even thin cloud cover could obscure the moon at times between 3:04 a.m. and 4:03 a.m. Tuesday, when totality occurs.
In Sacramento, Elk Grove and Roseville, conditions are expected to remain largely favorable, though motorists traveling along Highway 50 and Interstate 5 should watch for pockets of shallow fog forming in low-lying areas. Visibility could briefly dip below three miles in isolated spots, especially near waterways and open fields.
Farther west toward Fairfield and the Delta, cloud cover may be more persistent at times before sunrise. Drivers along Highway 99 and Interstate 80 should use low-beam headlights if fog develops and allow extra following distance during the early morning hours.
Skies improve quickly after sunrise Tuesday, with dry weather continuing through the day. Anyone planning to view the eclipse should monitor real-time sky conditions overnight, as even minor shifts in cloud cover could affect visibility. No major travel disruptions are expected, but brief localized reductions in visibility remain possible through daybreak Tuesday.
