Get out your galoshes and snow chains because next week could see the arrival of the Fresno area’s first winter-type storm.

A weather system heading out of the Gulf of Alaska promises to bring as much of an inch of rain between Monday and Wednesday, with a possibility of thunderstorms Monday evening, said Brian Ochs, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford.

“It’s not unusual, but it’s pretty robust for this time of year,” Ochs told GV Wire on Thursday.

The main focus of the storm will be Monday night into Tuesday afternoon, with a slim chance the rain could start Monday afternoon, he said. The storm is forecast to taper off by Wednesday night, he said.

Meanwhile, the Sierra could see its first serious winter storm next week, with snow levels dropping to 7,000 feet — that’s Huntington Lake — and depositing six to 12 inches of snow across the mountains, Ochs said.

Motorists heading into the Sierra should make sure to bring their tire chains, just in case.

Wetter and Colder Than Usual

In the next two weeks, the region is likely to see increased chances of above-average precipitation and below-average temperatures, Ochs said.

Nighttime lows in the Fresno area will remain in the 50s, but outlying areas like Hanford and Lemoore could see overnight lows dropping into the high 40s by this weekend, he said.

The forecast highs and lows for Fresno for the next week: today’s high will be 80, with an overnight low of 56; Friday’s high 79, overnight low 56; Saturday high 74, overnight low 50; Sunday high 75, overnight low 52; Monday high 71, overnight low 53; Tuesday high 68, overnight low 52; Wednesday high 67, overnight low 50; Thursday high 68, overnight low 51.