Modesto sets new rainfall record. See totals and how much more rain is ahead
Heavy rain drenched the Modesto area as the “coldest storm of the season” brought gusty winds and rolling thunderstorms to California.
“Showers continue to move through the area, but two 24-hour rainfall records have already been broken” at Stockton Metropolitan Airport and Modesto City-County Airport, the National Weather Service said Monday, Feb. 16, on X.
Preliminary data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows 1.45 inches of rain fell at Modesto City-County Airport in a 24-hour period ending Monday. That surpassed the previous record of 0.94 inches set in 2000.
Rain is expected to continue.
“We will continue to see precipitation overspread the area today,” the National Weather Service said in an X post on Tuesday, Feb 17.
Here’s how much rain fell across the Modesto region — and how much more could be on the way:
How much rain did Modesto get?
As of Tuesday morning, the Modesto area had received 1.67 inches of rain over the previous 72 hours, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
That recent rainfall has pushed Modesto’s seasonal total — which runs from July 1 through June 30 — to 9 inches, according to the Modesto Irrigation District.
District records show the region’s “wettest rainfall season” on record was in 1983, when 26.01 inches fell between July 1982 and June 1983.
Is more wet weather coming to the Modesto region?
According to the National Weather Service, additional storms are expected to bring more rain, gusty winds and colder temperatures to the Modesto area this week.
“Although the heavier rainfall have diminished, the cold front and shortwave energy dives southward along the West Coast and will bring renewed rainfall,” the weather agency said in an area forecast discussion on Tuesday.
The system is expected to drop about 1 to 2 inches of rain in lower elevations and up to 4 inches in higher elevations across parts of central and Southern California.
In Modesto, forecasters expect about another half-inch to 1 inch of new precipitation starting Tuesday.
Modesto is under wind advisory
A wind advisory will remain in effect through 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19.
Winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 45 mph.
Temperatures will trend colder throughout the week.
Overnight low temperatures in Modesto could dip to 43 degrees on Tuesday, 38 on Wednesday and 39 on Thursday, the National Weather Service said, with lows dropping to 34 on Friday, Feb. 20, and around 37 degrees on Saturday, Feb. 21.
What’s in the forecast for Modesto area?
Rainy weather is expected to continue in Modesto, with cooler temperatures and gusty winds, according to the National Weather Service.
On Tuesday, forecasters predicted steady rain with a 100% chance of precipitation and a possibility of thunderstorms. About half an inch of additional rainfall was possible.
Temperatures on Tuesday were expected to reach a high around 50 degrees, with an overnight low near 38. Winds are expected to range from 11 to 17 mph, with gusts up to 28 mph.
Rain is likely to continue Wednesday, with an 80% chance of showers. Additional rainfall amounts between a 10th and a quarter of an inch are possible.
The high will be near 50 degrees and the low will be around 41. Winds could reach 10 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph.
Thursday’s forecast also calls for an 80% chance of rain. The high will be around 49, while the temperature could drop to about 34 overnight.
Winds are expected to range from 11 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph.
Conditions are expected to improve Friday, with “mostly sunny” skies and a high near 51. The overnight low will be around 37.
However, the sunshine might be short-lived.
“A chance of rain” could return to the Modesto area by the weekend, with showers possible Saturday and Sunday.
This story was originally published February 17, 2026 at 10:23 AM.
