Weekend rain settles over Fresno, but record high temperatures are coming. What to know

While a quick storm is expected to bring rain into the Fresno area on Saturday afternoon into Sunday, the area could see record-breaking temperatures by mid-week.

The National Weather Service says a low-pressure system will hit California’s central San Joaquin Valley by around midday Saturday. Rain levels associated will likely reach at least a 10th of an inch in Fresno, though there is a chance the area could see as much as a quarter of an inch.

This could double the amount of rain Fresno has seen so far in March.

Snow levels could fall to 5,000 feet by Saturday night, with one to three inches of snow predicted for elevations above 6,000 feet. A high-wind watch remains in effect for the Sierra Nevada’s higher elevations on Sunday, with winds climbing as high as 40 to 60 mph. Power outages and downed trees are possible.

The system is expected to die out by Monday, and by Tuesday, Fresno will be in a full-on warming trend.

High temperatures for Monday afternoon are expected to be five degrees warmer than Sunday, with highs on Tuesday expected to be 10 degrees warmer still. By Wednesday, the Weather Service says high temperatures will near 85 degrees — 16-18 degrees above normal for this time of year.

The hot weather could break records, the Weather Service says.

There is an 86% probability Fresno will set a daily temperature record on Wednesday and a 91% chance on Thursday.

This story was originally published March 19, 2022 at 9:27 AM.