Thunderstorms and rain showers in Fresno area, National Weather Service forecasts

A storm system that began in the Gulf of Alaska could bring thunderstorms to the Central San Joaquin Valley by early Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service in Hanford forecast Saturday.

Meteorologist Carlos Molina said the front was drawing moisture from the Hawaiian islands as it moved southward. The wet weather was the second of two systems to approach California during the week and had dropped about a quarter of an inch inch of rainfall north of Fresno County Saturday morning, said Molina.

The Fresno area was likely to receive about the same amount of moisture as the storm moved south, he added.

In the Sierra Nevada, a winter weather advisory was issued for areas above 7,000 feet, and Molina said snow showers were a possibility in the higher mountains.

Molina said the chance of thunderstorms would diminish by nightfall, and skies would clear Sunday.

This story was originally published November 18, 2023 at 11:47 AM.