Storms swept through Modesto area. Here’s how much rain fell and what’s next
After several days of rolling thunderstorms that drenched the Modesto area with heavy rain, gusty winds and cooler temperatures, skies have finally cleared.
However, the clear skies might be short-lived, according to the National Weather Service.
How much rain fell in Modesto? Are more rain clouds on the way?
Here’s what to know:
How much rain did Modesto get?
The recent storm system brought record-setting rainfall to the area.
Preliminary data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows 1.45 inches of rain fell at Modesto City-County Airport during a 24-hour period ending Monday, Feb. 16.
That broke the previous record of 0.94 inches set in 2000.
Over the past seven days, Modesto has received roughly 2.7 inches of rain as of Friday, Feb. 20, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The recent storms have pushed Modesto’s seasonal rainfall total — which runs from July 1 through June 30 — to 9.8 inches, according to the Modesto Irrigation District.
The region’s “wettest rainfall season” on record was in 1983, when 26.01 inches fell between July 1982 and June 1983, district records show.
Is more rain coming to the Modesto region?
In an area forecast discussion on Thursday, Feb. 19, the National Weather Service said weather models show a warmer storm system moving in that could bring additional rounds of rain to the Central Valley and more snow to the Sierra Nevada.
“Slick roads and travel delays will be possible with this next storm,” the weather agency said.
Colder temperatures in store for Modesto
Temperatures will trend colder for the remainder of the week, the National Weather Service said Thursday, Feb. 19, on X.
Overnight low temperatures in Modesto could dip to 33 degrees on Friday, 35 on Saturday and 42 on Sunday, Feb. 22.
What’s in the forecast for Stanislaus County?
Stanislaus County can expect a mix of sunshine, clouds and a return of rain in the days ahead, according to the National Weather Service’s latest forecast.
On Friday, the Modesto area was expected to be partly sunny, with light winds around 3 to 6 mph.
The overnight low could dip to around 34 degrees, with “areas of frost” possible, the weather service said, while the daytime high is expected to reach about 52 degrees.
Saturday’s forecast calls for “mostly cloudy” skies, with winds between 6 and 10 mph. Temperatures will warm slightly, with a high near 59 and a low around 40.
Expect a high near 64 and a low around 44 on Sunday. Winds will increase to 13 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph.
“Rain is likely” on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The high will be near 64, with a low around 53.
There’s also “a chance of rain” from Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 26, forecasts show.
