Modesto’s April showers coming soon. When to expect wet weather in valley, foothills
The Modesto region’s April showers finally are arriving this week.
Wet weather is expected through Friday in the area, according to the National Weather Service. A dry start to 2022 will get a boost from a weather system that is expected to arrive Wednesday.
A smaller system came through Tuesday, dropping scattered showers this morning with some lingering sprinkles in the afternoon. But the bulk of the rain should start coming Wednesday night as part of a “significant late season winter storm” that will last through Friday, according to the NWS.
The storm system will bring light to moderate rain in Modesto through Friday in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, said NWS meteorologist Katrina Hand. Between a half inch and an inch of rain is expected during the storm in Modesto. In addition to the precipitation, windy conditions are forecast for Wednesday and then possible thunderstorms Thursday.
The rainfall comes during a very dry start to 2022 for the valley. Hand said the region has seen just 0.64 inches of rain since the beginning of January, which is well below the normal average of 7.31 inches by this time in April.
Modesto’s water year, which runs from the start of the rainy season in October through the spring, is also below average but by less, Hand said. So far in the water year, the region has recorded 8.79 inches, compared to the normal average of 11.14 inches. Hand said the bulk of the water season’s rain came from early October and December storms.
Temperatures during the rainy end of the week should reach highs in the upper 60s and low 70s. According to NWS forecasts, as things dry out over the weekend, expect the mercury to rise to above-average April temperatures in the upper 80s.
The surrounding foothills should see more rain than the valley as the system moves east. About 1 to 2 inches are expected in the Sonora area. The rainfall should follow a similar pattern, arriving Wednesday and lasting through Friday, Hand said.
Higher mountain and Sierra Nevada regions should see some snowfall from the late-season storm. The NWS forecasts 1 to 2 feet of snow in the highest pass levels, with the heaviest coming Thursday. Snow levels will be from 5,500 to 7,000 feet Wednesday, dropping to 4,500 to 5,500 feet Thursday.
The Climate Prediction Center’s April outlooks for the valley show above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation for the month. So far, this month has already recorded two days with highs of 90 degrees or more. April 7-8, were a good 20 degrees higher than the average for early April. Hand said the bulk of Modesto’s late winter and early spring rainfall usually ends by late March and early April.
