Scattered rain and thunderstorms hit the Central Valley, breaking rain daily record

Scattered rains and small thunderstorms moved through the central San Joaquin Valley on Thursday afternoon, breaking the daily rain record for May 16.

According to National Weather Service meteorologist Bill South, the Fresno area received 0.46 inches and broke the previous daily record of 0.13 inches that was set in 2005. South said daily records have been recorded since 1887 and that rain this time of the year is pretty rare.

Reports of hail southeast and southwest of Fresno were reported to be pea sized.

The rain for Thursday will begin to wind down but more rain is expected to arrive in the Central Valley on Saturday night and Sunday, the meteorologist added.

This story was originally published May 16, 2019 at 6:47 PM.