The Sacramento Zoo entrance earlier this year. It will close early because of the heat on Sunday and Monday.
RENÉE C. BYER
rbyer@sacbee.com
The Sacramento Zoo will close early at 2 p.m. Sunday and Monday because of excessive heat, zoo officials announced.
In a Facebook post, the zoo said guests who already purchased tickets for either day and would like to exchange them or request a refund can call 916-808-5888.
The National Weather Service forecasts highs of up to 104 degrees in Sacramento over the next two days.
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The scorching temperatures are being driven by a heat dome, according to previous reporting by The Sacramento Bee. A heat dome forms when a strong area of high pressure traps hot air over a region. The sinking air creates clear skies and allows the sun to heat the ground even more, causing temperatures to climb.
The National Weather Service predicted the hot weather would persist through the week, with triple-digit highs forecast again next weekend.
This story was originally published August 2, 2026 1:38 PM.
The Sacramento Bee
Nicole Buss is The Sacramento Bee’s Roseville/Placer County watchdog reporter. She previously covered Placer County at Gold Country Media. Buss grew up in Lincoln and is a graduate of Sierra College and Arizona State University.