Still more rain and snow await in Modesto-area watershed. Where do we stand on water?
The Modesto area can expect more rain Monday and Tuesday, followed by another frost warning.
The Modesto Irrigation District recorded a total of 1.3 inches of rain at its downtown offices from Friday through 1 p.m. Monday. The total has reached more than 14.25 inches for the water year that began July 1, with a month to go in the main storm season. The annual average is 12.12 inches.
MID and nearby agencies rely mostly on the central Sierra Nevada snowpack. It stood at 185% of average Monday, the California Department of Water Resources reported. The weekend brought snow down to the foothills.
The National Weather Service forecast up to 5 feet of Sierra snow and an inch of Modesto rain through Wednesday. The city could have a high temperature of just 49 degrees Monday, along with wind gusting up to 25 miles per hour.
Overnight temperatures could dip to 38, followed by a high of 48 and wind up to 24 mph Tuesday.
Wednesday looks to be sunny, with a high of 51 and winds up to 25 mph. Thursday could dawn with a low of 29 and reach perhaps 55. Friday also is expected to be frosty, followed by a chance of rain over the weekend.
The snowpack had surpassed 200% of average after nine storms over three weeks in January. A few dry weeks ensued until the blasts of late February.
Below-average rain and snow fell from 2020 to 2022, leading to water cutbacks that varied from mild to severe in Stanislaus County. The 2023 supplies will range from 35% to 100%, depending on water rights and reservoir storage.
This story was originally published February 27, 2023 at 10:54 AM.
