The Abridged version:
- A layer of smog has settled over the Sacramento region the last few days.
- Local meteorologist Mark Finan has attributed the haze to an inversion layer that traps pollutants.
- The poor air quality is expected to stick around through the weekend, but the air is much clearer in the foothills and Sierra Nevada.
After dense fog and torrential rain covered the Sacramento region at the end of last year, the beginning of 2026 has been notably less dreary.
But the air hasn’t completely cleared just yet.
In fact, many residents in and around Sacramento may have noticed what appears to be a thick layer of fog mixed with smoke this week.
Longtime local meteorologist Mark Finan attributed the recent haze to an inversion layer that “acts as a lid” and traps pollutants like exhaust and fireplace smoke.
“There’s just no way for that to get vented out right now,” he said.
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Air quality concerns
Without much wind or a change in weather, the particulates have stuck around, causing elevated air quality index ratings at certain times of day.
Finan said the poor air quality can remain even when the fog burns off in the afternoon, but it’s worse overnight and in the morning.
Better in the foothills
The good news is that residents don’t have to go far to escape the haze.
“The air quality is so much better once you go a little bit east,” Finan said.
He expects these conditions to remain through the holiday weekend, so those who want to breathe easy may want to consider heading for the hills.
Daniel Hennessy joins Abridged from the California Local News Fellowship. He’s a reporter covering Yolo County. Savannah Kuchar is a reporter covering education. She came to Sacramento to be a part of the Abridged team and contribute to a crucial local news source.