Wednesday off to a wet start in Modesto

MODESTO -- Today got off to a soggy start, and forecasters say the rainfall should continue, off and on, throughout the day. It could get a bit rowdy, too — the National Weather Service says there’s a chance of thunderstorms in the Northern San Joaquin Valley today.

It hasn’t been terribly measurable precipitation, however — the Modesto Irrigation District has recorded only a smidge of rainfall. According to MID gauges as of 5 a.m., .01 of an inch fell in downtown Modesto, and it landed between 1 and 2 a.m.

With a colder storm than previous systems, the snow level has moved down the hills to about 4,000 feet, and the CHP is reporting chain controls on Highway 108 in Tuolumne County.

Forecasters call for the rain to clear out overnight, leaving the area with a cloudy Thursday and then a sunnier Friday. More clouds are expected to move in to the area Saturday night, with chances of rain through the early part of next week.