Storm raises rain totals for Modesto. How did 2025 compare to recent years?
Though Modesto has had a wet winter so far, total rainfall for 2025 was less than the previous two years.
The latest storm provided 1.22 inches of rain, according to Jeffery Wood, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service. The majority landed on Sunday, Jan. 4, with .8 inches of rain.
The total rainfall since October was 7.9 inches, with the largest downpour occurring on Christmas Eve, with just over an inch of rain.
In 2024, the Modesto area had one of the highest years of precipitation on record, totaling 17.4 inches. Last year was milder by comparison, reaching just 11.4 inches.
The total rainfall for December was 2 inches. But the rainy season in California continues through March and it’s possible early spring showers could pick up like in 2023 and 2024.
The forecast for the coming weeks appears much milder.
“Looks like most of the rain has ended for the Modesto area, with a small chance of a light rain shower the rest of the day (Monday), but nothing impactful or significant,” said Wood.
For the upcoming week, there is a mild chance of rain on Wednesday morning, but otherwise a pretty dry and calm week for the next five days or so, said Wood.
“While dry weather is in the forecast, we are fairly confident that fog or low clouds will develop this week as well,” Wood said. “High pressure is forecast to develop over the area, and with the recent rain, it is shaping up to be foggy once again in the northern San Joaquin Valley.”
This story was originally published January 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
