Weather in Sacramento, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 1:04 PM
- Moonset
- 3:46 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Sacramento at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 7 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Sacramento's peak heat at around 78°F mean temperature, while December delivers the coldest conditions at roughly 49°F. January produces the heaviest rainfall at 3.9 inches, contrasting sharply with July's bone-dry 0.0 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49° | 3.9″ | 7 |
| February | 53° | 3.6″ | 7 |
| March | 57° | 2.8″ | 6 |
| April | 61° | 1.4″ | 3 |
| May | 68° | 0.9″ | 2 |
| June | 74° | 0.2″ | 1 |
| July | 78° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| August | 77° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 74° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 66° | 0.9″ | 2 |
| November | 55° | 1.8″ | 4 |
| December | 49° | 3.5″ | 6 |
Regional context
Sacramento falls within the hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone, sharing temperature ranges and seasonal rhythms with other cities in this regional climate pattern.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, San Jose, CA.
Naturalist notes
Valley oaks begin leafing out in late March as daylight hours lengthen and soil temperatures rise.
Swallows return to Sacramento in early April, timing their arrival with the emergence of flying insects.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Sacramento?
- Sacramento typically sees its final spring frost around mid-April, with the season's first frost returning in mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Sacramento?
- January ranks as the wettest month, delivering about 3.9 inches of rain on average, while the city's annual total reaches roughly 19 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Sacramento?
- July typically brings the year's highest temperatures, averaging around 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Sacramento?
- December usually records the coldest temperatures, averaging around 49°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Sacramento?
- Cool-season vegetables like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-April, while heat-loving crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks longer.
- How many rainy days does Sacramento get?
- Sacramento experiences approximately 38 rainy days each year.
- What hardiness zone is Sacramento?
- Sacramento's USDA hardiness zone reflects its coldest average winter temperatures; the USDA's online zone finder provides current designations using city ZIP codes.
Climate
Sacramento, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. January temperatures typically hover around 49°F, while July averages climb to 78°F — creating a 29°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Sacramento collects approximately 19 inches of precipitation across roughly 38 rainy days.
Geography shapes Sacramento's weather patterns through its latitude at 38.6°N, nearby water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what plants thrive, when frost threatens, and how daily weather unfolds.
ZIP codes in Sacramento
- 95821
- 95820
- 95823
- 95838
- 95832
- 95833
- 95831
- 95834
- 95835
- 95811
- 95814
- 95815
- 95818
- 95819
- 95828
- 95822
- 95825
- 95824
- 95826
- 95816
- 95817
- 94203
- 94204
- 94205
- 94209
- 94229
- 94230
- 94232
- 94235
- 94236
- 94237
- 94239
- 94240
- 94244
- 94247
- 94248
- 94249
- 94250
- 94252
- 94254
- 94256
- 94257
- 94258
- 94259
- 94261
- 94262
- 94263
- 94267
- 94268
- 94269
- 94271
- 94273
- 94274
- 94277
- 94278
- 94279
- 94280
- 94283
- 94284
- 94285
- 94287
- 94288
- 94289
- 94290
- 94293
- 94294
- 94295
- 94296
- 94297
- 94298
- 94299
- 95812
- 95813
- 95840
- 95851
- 95852
- 95853
- 95867
- 95894