A strong ridge of high pressure will bring much above normal temperatures to much of the West. Expect highs to reach 10-20° above average.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Weather conditions forecast for the Sacramento region starting Sunday through early next week are forecasted to reach record territory.

A Weather Impact Alert will begin on Sunday, March 15 as highs climb into the 80s through the valley.

This is well ahead of when the first 80° temperatures are typically felt in the Sacramento area which is April 4. 

Widespread minor HeatRisk is anticipated in Northern California beginning this Thursday across portions of the Delta, Valley, and foothills.

This pattern intensifies by Sunday into early next week. 



When

The Weather Impact Alert will begin Sunday as the warm pattern intensifies. Temperatures will be 10-20° above average and well ahead of pace for this type of heat. 

This looks like a stubborn pattern that could persist much of next week. That would lead to several days in the 80s. The most 80° days we’ve ever had in the month of March is 7 days, in both 2004 and 2015.

Highs could climb to 90° next week which would be the earliest 90° on record for Sacramento. That record currently stands at April 6, 1989.


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Impact

Well above average highs will be reached starting this weekend into early next week. This type of heat isn’t usually seen until early April to early May, which will increase the HeatRisk for Northern California. 

We’ve NEVER hit 90° in the month of March in Sacramento. The average first 90° isn’t even until May 8!


Weather Impact Resources

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 ► MEET THE WEATHER IMPACT TEAM | Chief Meteorologist Monica Woods, Brenden Mincheff, Rob Carlmark


Need

Be ready to adjust outdoor activities for a couple days until our bodies get used to the warmer conditions. Stay hydrated and seek shade. Look before you lock. Temperatures can heat up quickly inside vehicles which can turn deadly. Also be aware of cold, fast waterways. Snowmelt is still lowering water temperatures and increasing the volume of water coming down the mountain. Bug repellent and sunscreen when outdoors.

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GO DEEPER:  The ABC10 Weather Impact Team investigates algae and bacterial threats to some of California’s largest natural lakes.