Another warm weekend ahead for Modesto area. When will valley, Sierra see rain again?
After a bone-dry January and a parched start to February, the Modesto area could see some light showers early next week.
The National Weather Service in Sacramento forecasts another dry and warm weekend for the Central Valley. The highs in the Modesto area are expected to climb to 71 degrees on Saturday and then fall slightly to 68 on Sunday, said NWS meteorologist Cory Mueller.
“You’re in for a pretty nice weekend across the area with sunny skies and warm temperatures — not as warm as last weekend, but nice,” Mueller said.
Temperatures last weekend set or matched previous record highs for the city, according to data from the Modesto Irrigation District. Last Friday and Saturday set all-time highs, at 75 and 76 degrees, respectively. Last Sunday tied the area’s record high at 77 degrees, equaling the previously reported hottest day on that date set in 2015 .
Mueller said early next week a weather system should move through the area that could bring some needed wetter weather, especially in higher elevations. On Tuesdays some showers and snow are forecast for the foothills and Sierra Nevada. Modesto too could get some sprinkles, with about a 20% chance Tuesday as the system moves over the valley.
But the precipitation is expected to be relatively minor, Mueller said. The forecast calls for 1 to 3 inches of snow in the Sierra with possibly 5 to 6 inches falling at the very highest elevations.
If Modesto sees any rain, expect it to be light and measure maybe .10 inch. So, you’ll likely still have to water that lawn.
The region saw no rain in January, after a promising start to the valley’s wet season in late 2021. The last significant rainfall (above .01 inches) came Dec. 29, and bought 0.09 inches of rain, according to MID.
Despite the lack of significant rainfall to start the year, Mueller said the area is still close to its average rain levels because of the storms the region saw in October and December.
“Despite having a dry January and extremely dry February, we still aren’t that much below average. (Modesto) is just shy of a half inch below normal,” he said. “So as things continue to stay dry it’s not good news. But things could be worse.”
