Sacramento, CA Weather Forecast & Climate Guide
Sacramento has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Climate type: Mediterranean / hot-summer (Köppen Csa)
Sacramento Climate Overview
Very hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F. Mild, rainy winters. Dense fog in winter.
Tule fog can reduce visibility dramatically in winter. Atmospheric rivers bring heavy rain.
Sacramento Weather by Season
spring
Spring is beautiful with wildflowers, blooming trees, and mild 70s°F days. March through May is the best outdoor weather of the year, before summer heat arrives.
summer
Summers are hot and dry with highs frequently exceeding 95°F and occasional stretches above 100°F. But low humidity and the "Delta breeze" cooling from the Pacific make it more tolerable than Texas or the Southeast.
fall
Fall is gradual — September still sees 90°F days, but October drops into the 70s°F. Wine country is at its best during harvest season.
winter
Winters are mild but wet and foggy. Highs in the mid-50s°F, lows in the upper 30s°F, and the Central Valley's famous "tule fog" can cut visibility to near zero for weeks.
Sacramento Average Monthly Temperatures
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 55° | 61° | 66° | 72° | 80° | 87° | 92° | 92° | 88° | 78° | 65° | 55° |
| Low °F | 39° | 42° | 44° | 47° | 52° | 56° | 58° | 58° | 56° | 50° | 43° | 38° |
Best Time to Visit Sacramento
April-May and September-October. Both offer mild temperatures, low humidity, and minimal rain. Wine country visits peak in September-October during harvest.
Severe Weather Risks
- Heat waves
- Wildfires
- Atmospheric rivers
- Tule fog
- Drought
Weather Facts About Sacramento
- >Sacramento is hotter than Los Angeles in summer — inland Central Valley heat pushes regularly past 100°F.
- >The "Delta breeze" is a cool ocean draft that flows in through the Carquinez Strait on summer evenings, dropping temperatures 20°F.
- >Tule fog in winter is thick enough to cause multi-car pileups on Central Valley highways.
Sacramento Weather FAQ
When is the best time to visit Sacramento?
April-May or September-October. Mild temperatures in the 70s°F, low humidity, minimal rain, and great wine country conditions. Summer is hot but dry.
How hot does Sacramento get in summer?
Very hot — average highs in July and August exceed 90°F, with frequent stretches above 100°F. The record high is 115°F. But low humidity and evening Delta breeze cooling help.
What is tule fog?
A thick, dense fog that forms in the Central Valley during winter when cold, moist air gets trapped under warmer air above. It can reduce visibility to near zero and is a major highway hazard from November through February.
Does Sacramento get rain?
About 18 inches per year, almost entirely between November and April. Summer is essentially dry. Atmospheric river events can drop several inches at a time during winter.