After nearly 2 inches of rain, Fresno gets break from atmospheric river before next storm

The central San Joaquin Valley enjoyed mostly cloudy skies but little rain on Friday, a day after nearly two inches fell in the Fresno area.

The National Weather Service reported that by 4 a.m., Fresno had received 1.82 inches of rain. Hanford got 1.57 inches and Visalia 1.10.

Several feet of snow fell the Sierra Nevada and Highway 168 remained closed at the Shaver Lake Marina.

At the 7,000-foot elevation at Huntington Lake, China Peak Ski Resort reported 48 inches of snow in the past 24 hours. The ski resort was closed Friday for a second straight day due to the highway closure, though it was ready to open when the highway is cleared.

More than 18 inches of snow fell at Yosemite National Park, which remains closed until at least Monday, as officials continue to clear roads and debris from the storm and last week’s Mono winds. A reservation system will be in place for visitors to the national park starting Monday.

The storm left other roadway-related problems closer to Fresno on Thursday, including mud and rocks scattered on Sky Harbor Road near Millerton Lake.

CHP monitoring I-5 at Grapevine

Snow was expected at the highest elevations of Interstate 5 over Grapevine and Highway 58 into Mojave. Drivers should be prepared for slick roads, possible black ice and delays. CHP was escorting traffic Friday morning.

The weather service also said cold air moving over warmer air could create instability, potentially causing lightning and thunder in some eastern areas of the Valley from noon until 5 p.m. Friday.

Precipitation was expected to end by sunset.

Saturday and Sunday are expected to be dry and warmer, which means the likelihood of fog Sunday.

Rain and snow will arrive again with a new storm system, but not until Monday night into Tuesday. That storm should be gone by Tuesday night.

This story was originally published January 29, 2021 at 6:54 AM.