Storm front soaking Valley floor. Why Fresno growers might be worried about forecast

A late-season storm front is expected to drop as much as one-half inch of rain in the Fresno area Monday, with the possibility of lightning, thunder and hail later in the day, according to the National Weather Service.

The fast-moving storm system from the Pacific was expected to drop most of its precipitation by noon, but meteorologist David Spector in Hanford said there was a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms and lightning. That’s because warm air on the central San Joaquin Valley floor will be covered by cooler air from the front creating instability.

Hail could be bad news for growers with blossoming trees, Spector said. “Some of the cherry growers might be very nervous.”

By 8 a.m., .31 of an inch of rain was recorded in the region.

The front was also expected to bring between 6 and 12 inches of snow to parts of the Sierra above 6,000 feet and in isolated areas, as much as 15 inches might fall. The weather service issued a travel advisory for mountain roadways, cautioning drivers to slow down.

This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 9:52 AM.