New storms forecast for Valley, Sierra to bring more rain, snow

The central San Joaquin Valley will enjoy a few more days of sunny, clear skies before a storm arrives from the Pacific Northwest and brings new chances of rain and snow.

Long-range forecasts also show another storm that could arrive Sunday.

Tuesday and Wednesday will start with patchy fog. The high will be 63 degrees both days.

Skies will begin to cloud up later Wednesday, and then rain should start early Thursday, the National Weather Service said. Rain will be heavy at times, and winds will gust to 15 mph in the Valley and be strong and gusty along the west side.

Rain likely will decrease to showers by Thursday night. By the time rain is over, Fresno is expected to have received up to a half inch, the NWS said.

Snow amounts in the Sierra will range from 12 to 16 inches at Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park to 2 to 4 inches at Shaver Lake and Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park.

The snow level will lower to 4,000 feet Thursday night, with lingering showers still possible.

Showers will decrease into Saturday, but then chances improve that night for more precipitation, the weather service said. There is a 40 percent chance of rain and snow Sunday, with precipitation chances dropping to 20 percent by Monday.

This story was originally published December 7, 2015 at 3:43 PM with the headline "New storms forecast for Valley, Sierra to bring more rain, snow."