‘Pretty significant storm’ could bring rain, thunder to Fresno. When will it hit?
Rain showers and thunderstorms are expected to hit the Fresno area as storms sweep much of California, according to the National Weather Service.
“There is a pretty significant storm that’s going to move in late (Wednesday), and it’s looking like we’re going to get a period of moderate rain in the Fresno area,” said David Spector, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford.
The storm could bring at least half an inch of rain to the Valley, the weather service on an X post.
The last time Fresno saw any measurable rain was on Thursday, March 6, when 1.5 inches fell in the Central Valley city, the weather service said.
Here’s what to know:
What’s in the forecast for Fresno?
On Tuesday, the Fresno area was expected to be mostly sunny, with a high temperature near 68 degrees and calm winds around 5 mph, according to the weather service’s latest seven-day forecast.
The weather service predicted a low temperature of 48 degrees on Wednesday night.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, “We’re going to have slightly above-normal temperatures, but they’re going to plunge behind the storm on Thursday,” Spector said.
When will rain start in Fresno?
Showers will start on Wednesday after 11 a.m., according to the forecast.
There is a 40% chance of rain on Wednesday, which will be mostly cloudy with a high near 65 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph.
The chance of precipitation jumps to 100% on Wednesday night, when a low around 45 is expected.
“New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch (are) possible,” the weather service said in its forecast.
On Thursday, there is a chance of rain before 11 a.m. with a thunderstorm possible after that point. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
“There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening,” Spector said.
Fresno could get a 10th to a quarter of an inch of new rainfall, with “higher amounts possible in thunderstorms,” the weather service said.
Thursday will have a high near 56 and an overnight low around 40.
Friday is also expected to see some rain, with a high near 52.
Remnants of a shower could sprinkle Fresno on Friday night. Otherwise, skies will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
“Thursday and Friday will be much cooler than normal,” Spector said, noting that highs will hover around the mid 50s while lows could possibly dip into the upper 30s.
How long will wet weather last?
The Fresno area will get a break from the rain on Saturday, which will be sunny with a high near 63.
On Saturday night, there’s a 30% chance of rain after 11 p.m. The low will be around 42.
Sunday is also expected to have showers. Otherwise the day will be partly sunny, with a high near 67 and gusts as high as 15 mph.
Rain could continue into Sunday night, which will have a low around 46.
“We’re looking at another weak system on Sunday night and Monday, and these systems are not going to produce as much precipitation,” Spector said. “We’re looking at about a 10th of an inch to a quarter of an inch from these (storm systems).”
Monday will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 60 and wind gusts as high as 15 mph.
What’s next for Fresno weather?
“There’s the potential for another storm late next week, but there’s a lot of uncertainty with that one,” Spector said.
Most of California can expect below-normal temperatures and near-normal precipitation from March 18 through March 24, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center.
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