Storms riding atmospheric river descend on Fresno area. All mountain travel ‘discouraged’
Meteorologists warned of potential flooding on Thursday throughout the central San Joaquin Valley as Fresno got more than an inch of rain overnight with more precipitation coming.
Fresno recorded 1.2 inches of rain Wednesday while much of the Valley averaged closer to 0.75 inches, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford.
Higher elevation saw 2 to 3 inches, the service said.
After multiple storms in the region this week, the service said there is an increased chance of flooding in the Valley and isolated rock slides in the foothills and Sierra Nevada.
An atmospheric river of moisture is coming from the Pacific Ocean and headed to California and other western states, according to forecasters.
Fresno and other eastern parts of the Valley are expected to get another 2 to 3 inches from 10 p.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day. That precipitation comes from two storms.
The region has already more than doubled the 1.79 inches averaged in a typical December.
A winter storm warning was also in place through 4 a.m. Sunday, meaning elevations at 7,000 feet or higher will be almost entirely impassable.
“All travel is discouraged,” the weather service said.
Tioga Pass is projected to get a hit with up to 72 inches (6 feet) of snow from Thursday night to Sunday morning.
Mammoth Lakes could get closer to 2 feet on snow, meteorologists said.
This story was originally published December 29, 2022 at 10:37 AM.
