Prepare for a rainy night in the Modesto area

Get out your umbrellas.

Forecasters say residents of Modesto and Stanislaus County should expect rain showers, which began around 3:30 this afternoon, to continue this evening.

The rain should ease up after midnight and give way to mostly sunny conditions during the day Saturday.

A wind advisory was in effect until 7 o'clock tonight. The National Weather Service said gusts up to 45 mph could knock down trees and branches, and drivers were urged to use extra caution.

The southeasterly winds of the afternoon are expected to slacken after 7, and calmer breezes of about 10 mph should come in from the west.

After this evening's showers roll through the area, conditions should be dry for several days, according to forecasters.