More thunderstorms on the way to California. Here’s when to expect ‘heavy rain’
Spring weather can be unpredictable, with sudden shifts from sunny skies to rain and thunderstorms.
Much of California was expected to experience warm weather from Monday, April 6, through midweek —but an active weather system is set to move in later in the week, according to the National Weather Service.
That system could bring isolated thunderstorms, along with “lightning, gusty winds, brief heavy rain and small hail,” the weather service said.
That means “cooler temperatures and unsettled weather conditions,” the weather agency said in an area forecast discussion on Sunday, April 5.
Rain is expected to spread across several regions, including Northern California, coastal areas and the Central Valley — with potential impacts in Sacramento, Modesto, Merced, Fresno and San Luis Obispo.
Here’s when to expect showers:
When are thunderstorms forecast for California?
Thunderstorms could begin moving into California as early as Thursday, April 9, according to the National Weather Service.
There’s a chance of thunderstorms starting as early as Wednesday and lasting through Saturday.
Odds are lower on Wednesday and Saturday, when there’s a 10% to 20% chance of thunder.
Thunderstorms are more likely on Thursday and Friday, with a 20% to 35% chance.
“Recent trends have delayed the pattern change with now the burnt of impacts becoming more Thursday (through) Friday,” the weather agency said in Sunday’s area forecast discussion.
How much rain will fall across California?
A recent storm brought light rain and some snow to the Sierra Nevada, but it wasn’t enough to make up for a very hot March that significantly reduced the state’s snowpack.
As of Monday, April 6, about 38% of the state was considered “abnormally dry,” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The highest chances for rain are in the Central Valley, foothills and mountain areas, including the Sierra Nevada, according to the National Weather Service.
Coastal areas and Southern California are expected to see lighter rain, but there’s still an 80% chance of at least some rainfall between Friday and Sunday.
Forecasters said “there’s still a pretty big spread in the rain amounts and timing.”
However, there’s a chance some parts of the state could see more than a half inch of rain, with about a 30% chance of totals reaching an inch or more.
What’s in the weather forecast for Sacramento?
The National Weather Service’s latest forecast for Sacramento called for mostly clear, sunny skies from Monday through Wednesday, April 8.
By Thursday, there’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high temperature near 76 and a low temperature around 55.
A “slight chance of rain” continues into Friday, when temperatures will cool slightly. The high will be near 70, with the low dropping to around 53 overnight.
Rain will possibly continue through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Will it rain in Modesto?
Skies in Modesto are expected to stay sunny through midweek before conditions shift, according to the weather service.
Rain is forecast to begin Thursday, April 9, with a 20% chance of showers after 11 a.m. Temperatures will reach a high near 77, with a low around 57.
By Friday, showers become more likely, along with a chance of thunderstorms. The high will be near 73, with a low around 55.
Rain chances are expected to continue through the weekend.
What’s in the weather forecast for Merced? Fresno?
Rain is also forecast across much of the Central Valley, including Merced and Fresno.
Thunderstorms bringing lightning, rain and gusty winds could begin Thursday and continue into the weekend, according to the latest forecasts.
Will it rain in San Luis Obispo?
Along the Central Coast, including San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, there are “chances for at least some rain.”
The San Luis Obispo area is expected to remain “partly sunny” through Thursday.
Clouds will increase Friday, bringing a chance of rain and possible thunderstorms, with a high near 68 and a low around 54.
Rain chances are expected to continue through the weekend.
