After a quick break, more rain for central Valley. Will it clear by New Year’s Eve?

The National Weather Service is predicting another round of “unsettled weather” in the Fresno region on Wednesday.

Unsettled, in this case, meaning rain on the Valley floor and snow in the mountains and foothills.

The forecast comes on the heels of several storms that moved through the area over the past two weeks dumping rain and snow. The remnants of the latest storm could still be felt Tuesday morning, though it was expected to clear by afternoon.

The incoming storm will be cold, but without the moisture levels the area has seen recently. A few inches of snow is expected around the 1,500-foot elevation mark near Oakhurst, Auberry, Bootjack and Three Rivers; higher elevations could see just above a foot of snow over 24 hours.

Fresno proper did not, and likely won’t, get any snow.

Snow is expected to the south through the passes on Highway 58 and Interstate 5 in the Kern County Mountains. A winter advisory is in place across the region on Wednesday.

The Valley could see some lingering showers on Thursday, according to the weather service, but the storm should pass by Friday. It will be cold and clear for the first weekend of the New Year.

Of course, another round of “unsettled conditions” could be coming Monday, according to the Weather Service’s daily update.

Record levels of snow in the Sierra

It has been a particularly good month for rain and snow in the mountains.

The Sierra Nevada has already seen more snow this month than in any December in recorded history, according the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab. The lab at Donner Pass received more than three feet in 24 hours and a total of 193.7 inches (more than 16 feet) for the month.

In Fresno County, China Peak at Huntington Lake on Wednesday reported 132-185 inches for the season and 20-24 inches in the past 24 hours.

Fresno has seen nearly 3.5 inches of rain this month and is on pace for one of the top-10 wettest Decembers ever.

The region is nearly 4 inches above last year’s rain totals, but will still end 2021 slightly below the historical average, according to data from the Weather Service.

This story was originally published December 28, 2021 at 9:07 AM.