The National Weather Service is predicting lows in the upper 40s and a below-normal high of 64 degrees on Saturday.

The normal high temperature for this time of year in Fresno is 75 degrees, NWS Hanford meteorologist Carlos Molina said Wednesday.

Rainy weather arriving late Friday and continuing into Saturday could bring a few hundredths of an inch of rain to the Valley — enough to wet but not soak the ground — a quarter-inch to a half-inch of rain at lower Central Sierra elevations, and a couple inches of snow above 6,000 feet, Molina said.

Cool Now, Hot Later

A weak disturbance over Northern California is allowing cooler air from the coast to push inland over Central California, lowering the highs in Fresno this week. The weekend’s weather will be the result of a stronger disturbance that’s pushing southward, Molina said.

Typically such storms at this time of year track toward the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, he said.

The highs will gradually warm up next week. May 1 could be Fresno’s first 90-degree day in 2025, followed by cooler weather for a week or two, Molina said.

“Hopefully, we can hold off on reaching 100 until closer to June,” he said.

The record for the earliest day of 90-degree weather in Fresno was March 15, 2015, Molina said.

Here are the highs and lows for Fresno for the next eight days: Wednesday, a high of 81, low of 49; Thursday, high of 76, low of 50; Friday, high of 69, low of 48; Saturday, high of 64, low of 47; Sunday, high of 70, low of 50; Monday, high of 76, low of 53; Tuesday, high of 82, low of 58; and April 30, high of 86, low of 58.

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As of April 1, residents of Fresno and Clovis could start watering their lawns and flowerbeds three days a week — Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday for odd-numbered addresses, and Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday for even-numbered addresses.

A high-pressure system parked over the Valley is bringing warmer-than-usual daytime highs to Fresno and the rest of the Valley, National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Harty said Tuesday.

On Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures will be 12 to 15 degrees above normal for this time of year in Fresno, he said.

The thermometer is forecast to climb up to 86 degrees on Thursday in Fresno and then slide back down this weekend into the upper 70s as a system moves onshore, he said.

“There is some small indications that we could potentially around this time next week, Tuesday of next week, maybe see a little weak system moving towards the coast that could bring us some precipitation, mainly over the mountains,” Harty said. “But there’s pretty low confidence in that right now.”

Rainy Season Is Over

As of Tuesday, Fresno was at about 87% of total rainfall for this time of year, but much of that was the result of March storms that brought welcome rain to the Valley and snow to the Sierra, he said.

“It was looking really bleak a couple months ago, back in January. A pretty significant drought was shaping up, but luckily, in the last few weeks, we’ve gotten some good systems and rebounded closer to normal,” he said.

April typically marks the end of the winter rainy season and the start of hotter and drier weather in Fresno, Harty said.

Fresno’s forecasts for this week and weekend: Tuesday, high of 77, overnight low of 53; Wednesday, 82 high, 56 low; Thursday, 86 high, 57 low; Friday, 84 high, 55 low; Saturday, 78 high, 50 low; Sunday, 78 high, 52 low; Monday, a high of 82.

The post How High Will the Thermometer Climb This Week in Fresno? appeared first on GV Wire.

The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Nevada north of the Kings River and a Winter Weather Advisory south of the river.

3/31/2025 10am Update:
Cold and windy conditions this morning with 7.5″ (19 cm) of #snow in the last day and 9.6″ (24.5 cm) in the last 2 days.

We’re expecting 2-4 feet of snow through tomorrow night, which should bring us close to hitting average on April 1!#CAwx #CAwater pic.twitter.com/FQhzmqUhJK

— UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab (@UCB_CSSL) March 31, 2025

Between 1 and 3 feet of snow is expected in Mariposa, Madera, and Fresno counties north of the Kings River. And, up to 10 inches could fall in Fresno and Tulare counties south of the Kings, NWS said in its Monday forecast discussion.

While most of the snow will fall at elevations of 6,000 feet and above, there will be a window of time in which the snow level falls to as low at 3,500 feet.

Rain in the Forecast, Too

The Monday evening forecast for Fresno calls for showers and the possibility of thunderstorms. There’s a 70% chance of rain Tuesday, most of which is expected to fall between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.

A weather-making low-pressure trough is expected to give way to the arrival of a high-pressure ridge and afternoon highs reaching nearly 80 degrees by the weekend.

Remember when Fall met Winter last year? And now it seems Summer is meeting Winter this year. It’s like #MotherNature can’t make up her mind on any season and just wants them all together. #CAHighSierra #yosemite IG v_outdoors; @yosemitenation pic.twitter.com/2Ba6WWeW57

— California High Sierra (@cahighsierra) March 24, 2025

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Nearly 3.5 inches has fallen in Fresno in March, bringing the seasonal total to 7.51 inches, which is 89% of normal.

This morning’s rain could be accompanied by wind gusts to 15 mph. The chance of precipitation tonight is 70%, NWS says, and could include thunderstorms before 8 p.m.

Should the thunderstorms develop, expect brief heavy rain, small hail, and gusty winds, NWS said in a social media post.

There is a slight chance of thunderstorms for all Central California. Expect briefing heavy rain, small hail, and gusty winds with any thunderstorms that develop. #cawx pic.twitter.com/UGKhOsfW3x

— NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) March 17, 2025

In the Sierra, another foot of snow is expected at locations above 5,000 feet in elevation. According to the state Department of Water Resources, the snowpack is 92% of normal, dipping to 86% in the central Sierra. However, the Northern Sierra is 107% of normal.

For the remainder of the week, expect mostly sunny days and partly cloudy nights. Temperatures are expected to range from overnight lows in the high 30s to mid-40s with afternoon highs warming from 61 on Tuesday to 73 by Sunday.

The post Potential Thunderstorms With Small Hail in the Fresno Forecast appeared first on GV Wire.

Travelers in the Lake Tahoe region had to navigate closed roads, highways open under chain and speed controls, and crashed vehicles.

Fresno Forecast Features More Rain

In Fresno, the National Weather Service recorded 1.56 inches of rain from 8 p.m. Wednesday to noon today — the wettest event of the winter.

There is a 40% chance of rain, including thunderstorms, through Thursday night. Friday morning will bring an 80% chance of rain, falling to 30% Friday evening.

The NWS forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and a high of 62 degrees Saturday. The high temperature will rise to nearly 70 Sunday before another storm is expected to arrive that night.

Monday’s forecast includes an 80% chance of rain.

Related Story: March Megastorm May Bring Blizzards, Tornadoes, Flooding and Even Fires Across ...

Strong Winds Whip Through the Valley

NWS Hanford issued bulletins warning of wind gusts to 40 mph and possible hail at several Valley locations on Thursday.

A special weather statement has been issued for Porterville CA, Lindsay CA and East Porterville CA until 12:30 PM PDT pic.twitter.com/2qGVrjszb6

— NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) March 13, 2025

High winds also buffeted the Sacramento area as the airport reported a gust of 51 mph and a 52 mph gust was recorded in Stockton.

Over on the Central Coast, NWS reported that most San Luis Obispo County communities received 1 to 2 inches of rain over the 24-hour period ending at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The post Atmospheric River Soaks Fresno With 1.5 Inches of Rain and More Ahead appeared first on GV Wire.

The last survey at the end of February estimated the snowpack at 85% of normal. However, a strong finish to the wet season could give California three straight years of normal or above-normal snowpack for just the third time in nearly 50 years.

The last time trifecta came in the winters of 1998-2000 and, before that, 1978-80.

The amount of snow that accumulates in the Sierra Nevada is still to be determined, but meteorologists agree that the atmospheric river heading California’s way will blanket the mountains with snowfall and drench cities and foothills with rain. The depth of the snowpack on April 1 is when it usually peaks.

Blizzard Conditions in Parts of the Sierra

Unlike the warm storms that have hit California since fall, this next weathermaker is expected to be cold, dumping 1 to 3 feet of snow above 4,000 feet and up to 4 feet at the highest Sierra elevations.

Mountain passes could be to shut down from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning because of the snow. The National Weather Service is predicting wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph.

Fresno Rain Forecast

Meanwhile, the NWS Hanford forecast for Fresno has a 50% chance of rain late Wednesday morning and into the afternoon followed by a 100% chance that night with wind gusts up to 20 mph.

The forecast also calls for  a 90% chance of precipitation on Thursday, falling to 40% Friday and to 20% Saturday as the storm clears out.

All together, Fresno is expected to receive at least an inch of rain and the total could go higher if thunderstorms materialize Thursday.

Heavy Rain in the Foothills

Much more rain is anticipated in the foothills. Here are the NWS probabilities for the following locations to receive 2 inches or more of rain:

Yosemite Valley 70%
Wawona 83%
Mariposa 61%
Oakhurst 60%
Coarsegold 42%
Yokuts Valley 33%
Three Rivers 24%
Pine Flat 57%
Kernville 26%

Sector Images_ U.S. Pacific Coast – NOAA _ NESDIS _ STAR

Access the snow sensor report at this link.

The snow depth survey is at this link.

The post New Atmospheric River Expected to Boost Sierra Snowpack appeared first on GV Wire.

That squares with other forecast models indicating that Fresno and nearby communities could receive a total of 1.5 inches of rain between Tuesday night and Thursday, March 13.

The wettest days in the forecast are Wednesday, when up to a half-inch could fall, and Wednesday, March 12, when about sixth-tenths of a inch is expected.

Between those weathermakers, Fresno should see several days with sprinkles and showers, including Monday when the National Weather Service forecast calls for a 70% chance of rain.

In addition, the Climate Prediction Center says there is a 70% chance of below-average temperatures through March 17.

According to NWS data, Fresno’s historical rain average for March is 1.90 inches. The daily March record for rainfall is 2.38 inches set on March 10, 1995.

How NOAA Firings Impact You

The first round of firings started Thursday, Feb. 27, at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a government agency that monitors the oceans, the atmosphere where storms roam and space, and puts out hundreds of “products” daily. Those products generally save lives and money, experts say.

NOAA’s 301 billion weather forecasts every year reach 96% of American households.

The firings are “going to affect safety of flight, safety of shipping, safety of everyday Americans,” Admiral Tim Gallaudet told The Associated Press. President Donald Trump appointed Gallaudet as acting NOAA chief during his first administration. “Lives are at risk for sure.”

Former NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad agreed.

“We’re getting into prime tornado time. We’re getting into planting season for the agricultural season for the bread belt,” Spinrad said. “It’s going to affect safety. It’s going to affect the economy.”

Elon Musk has repeatedly defended federal workforce cuts by his Department of Government Efficiency as “common sense.”

(Associated Press contributed to this article.)

The post Latest Forecasts Predict a Wet March for Fresno appeared first on GV Wire.

Another storm system is expected to produce rain in Fresno and snow in the Sierra beginning Tuesday night and ending Friday morning.

After a weekend warm-up, another storm system could hit Fresno with a chance of more rain through mid-March, said the National Weather Service in Hanford.

Sunday’s showers and afternoon thunderstorm added .19 inches of rain to the gauge at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, the weather service said.

Fresno’s seasonal rain total now stands at 4.89 inches, which is 65.7% of normal to date.

The Forecast

It will be mostly sunny on Tuesday with a high of about 63 degrees. There is a 30% chance of rain after 10 p.m.

NWS is forecasting a 90% chance of rain on Wednesday, followed by a 40% chance on Thursday into Friday morning.

After a sunny Saturday, the clouds will return sometime Sunday, producing a 30% chance of rain. Monday’s forecast calls for a 70% chance of precipitation with up to one-half inch falling.

A look at the storm system approaching California. (NOAA)

70% of Americans Believe in Climate Change: Poll

About 7 in 10 U.S. adults believe climate change is occurring, and they are much more likely to think it has had or will have a major impact on them than those who say climate change isn’t happening.

That’s among the key findings from  a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

In addition, about 8 in 10 U.S. adults say they’ve experienced extreme weather in recent years, the poll found.

Midwesterners are most likely to feel the brunt of the cold weather, with about 7 in 10 adults who live in the Midwest experiencing severe cold in the past five years, compared with about half of residents of the South and the Northeast and about one-third of those in the West, the survey indicated.

(The Associated Press contributed to this article.)

The post March Starts Out Wet. Is More Rain on the Way to Fresno? appeared first on GV Wire.

In addition, the local Sierra is likely to see a dusting of snow at elevations of 6,000 feet and above.

About a quarter-inch of rain is expected in Fresno beginning Saturday night through Monday morning. However, the total could climb if thunderstorms materialize.

But before this next wave of precipitation adds to rain gauges and the snowpack, Valley residents can expect above-normal temperatures again on Friday. The National Weather Service is calling for a high of 75 in Fresno on Friday and 73 on Saturday before the wet cooldown arrives.

Forecast Calls for More Rain Midweek

Looking ahead in the forecast, another dose of rain and snow is possible Wednesday through Friday of next week.

There is “a 45 to 65% chance of at least an inch of rain total to the foothills and a 25 to 55% chance of half inch or more of rain in the Valley. The Sierra have a 35 to 65% chance of 12 inches or more of snow with this third system,” NWS Hanford said in its Thursday morning discussion.

Fresno has received 6.16 inches of rain to date in the water season that began on Oct. 1 of last year. That is 76.3% of normal.

The post Wet Skies Expected Over Fresno Beginning Saturday Night appeared first on GV Wire.

The National Weather Service forecast also calls for calm winds and overnight lows in the mid-40s following last week’s heavy rain and winds.

This mild dry February weather will be perfect for hiking, biking, fishing, golfing, and scores of other outdoor activities.

Fresno’s season rainfall stands at 4.73 inches, which is 72% of normal to date. The city’s average annual rainfall is 10.99 inches.

Related Story: How Much Rain Did Fresno Get? How Long Will It Continue?

California Rainfall

It has been a hit-and-miss situation for precipitation in the the Golden State for seasonal totals.

For example, Irvine in Orange County has received just 1.78 inches of rain thus far — 24% of normal to date.

However, Santa Rosa in northern California, has recorded 37.03 inches of rain. That’s 164% of normal to date and more than the 33.78 inches the city gets in an “average” rain season.

Reservoir Levels

Among local reservoirs, Pine Flat is at 54% capacity, which is 121% of its historical average on Feb. 17. Friant Dam also is at 54%, or 86% of average to date.

San Luis Reservoir has filled to 79% capacity, or 101% of its historical average to date.

The two big northern California reservoirs, Shasta and Oroville, are filling fast after last week’s atmospheric river. Shasta is at 78% capacity and Oroville is 84% full — higher than normal for both reservoirs.

The Sierra Snowpack

The snow-water equivalents for the Sierra can be found at this link.

Statewide, the Sierra is at 96% of normal to date. Breaking the mountain range into sections, the snow-water equivalents are:

— 122% Northern Sierra

— 91% Central Sierra

— 77% Southern Sierra

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