After several days of sunny skies and record-breaking heat, rain is returning to California.
As a new system moves through the Golden State this week, it’s expected to bring isolated thunderstorms, mountain snow, gusty winds and cooler temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.
The latest forecasts show rain could spread across several parts of California, including Northern California, coastal areas and the Central Valley — with impacts expected in Sacramento, Modesto, Merced, Fresno and San Luis Obispo.
Here’s when rain is forecast to arrive:
Rain clouds roll past the Sacramento skyline as seen from the Garden Highway near San Juan Road on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com When will thunderstorms drench California?
Thunderstorms could begin moving into California as early as Tuesday, March 31, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say moisture will push northward Tuesday morning by first bringing snow to higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada before spreading into the foothills and the Central Valley as rain.
This system could bring bursts of rainfall along with isolated thunderstorms.
Rain chances have increased in recent forecasts, with a 50% to 60% chance that Central Valley areas will receive at least a 10th of an inch over a 24-hour period ending Wednesday morning.
There’s also a 30% to 40% chance of a quarter-inch of rain in parts of the eastern valley.
Some areas of Northern California could see up to an inch of rain, while showers “will be very light” along coastal regions and Southern California, with about a 10th of an inch pf precipitation or less.
How much snow will fall across the Sierra Nevada?
Snow is expected to return to the Sierra Nevada starting Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow is forecast to hit elevations around 6,000 feet on Tuesday, gradually dropping to about 5,500 feet by Wednesday. Snow levels could reach to elevations as low as 4,000 feet by Thursday, April 2.
“Periods of light to locally moderate snow are expected,” the National Weather Service said on X. “The heaviest snow accumulations are expected at the highest peaks.”
“Exact snowfall amounts” and snow levels remain uncertain, but forecasters said snow levels in Northern California are likely to stay above 4,000 feet overall.
In South Lake Tahoe, snowfall is expected to begin Tuesday, with wintry conditions continuing through Thursday.
What’s in the forecast for Sacramento?
Rain is returning to the forecast in Sacramento, according to the National Weather Service.
Monday, March 31, is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a 10% chance of showers developing overnight.
The high temperature will reach around 83 degrees, with a low temperature near 58 degrees. Light winds will sweep through the region.
Rain becomes more likely Tuesday, when there’s a 50% chance of showers. Temperatures are expected to cool, with a high near 68 and a low around 53.
“New precipitation amounts of less than a 10th of an inch (are) possible,” the National Weather Service said.
By Wednesday, rain chances increase to about 70%, with a high near 65 and a low around 48.
Skies are expected to clear by Thursday, April 2, with clear, dry weather continuing through Easter Sunday on April 5.
Rain clouds roll over downtown Sacramento Friday morning, Oct. 8, 2021. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com When will Modesto see rain?
Rain is expected to return to Modesto on Tuesday, March 31, according to the latest seven-day weather forecast.
There is a 60% chance of showers on Tuesday, with a high near 72 and a low around 53. Rainfall totals are expected to remain light, with less than an inch of rain possible.
Showers could continue into Wednesday, with a 50% chance of rain. Temperatures will reach a high near 71 and a low around 51.
Skies are expected to clear in Modesto by Thursday, with dry weather lasting through Easter.
Will it rain in Merced? How about Fresno?
Rain is also expect across much of the Central Valley, including Merced and Fresno.
Showers are forecast to begin Tuesday in both cities and continue through Wednesday with a chance of thunderstorms, according to the latest forecasts.
Will San Luis Obispo see rain?
The National Weather Service said Southern California and Central Coast cities, including San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, will see “a slight chance to a chance of rain.”
“If rain does fall, confidence is high that any totals will be very light,” the weather agency said in a Monday, March 30, area forecast discussion.
The San Luis Obispo area should stay “partly sunny” through Monday, with a high near 79 and a low around 56, according to the National Weather Service.
Clouds will increase Tuesday, bringing a 40% chance of rain and cooler temperatures. The high will near 68 and the low will be around 53 degrees.
Rain clouds will clear by Wednesday, April 1.
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Angela Rodriguez is a service journalism reporter for The Bee. She is a graduate of Sacramento State with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. During her time there, she worked on the State Hornet covering arts and entertainment.