Share
Storms arriving on Friday and Monday are expected to bring rain to the parched Valley and snow to the Sierra.
The precipitation will be welcomed throughout California and other parts of the West Coast, which are experiencing varying degrees of drought.
Heading into this month, California’s statewide snowpack stood at 52% of average, according to the state Department of Water Resources. The Sierra snowpack typically supplies about 30% of California’s water needs.
In addition, the San Joaquin region’s precipitation index was 28% of normal on Wednesday morning.
Just 2 Days of Rain in Las Vegas Over Past 273 Days
Meanwhile, CNN reported Wednesday that three, or possibly four, separate storms could impact California, Nevada, and Arizona during the final two weeks of January.
As you can see on the drought monitor map above, more than 70% of the southwest is experiencing extreme drought.
According to CNN, Las Vegas has had rain just twice over the past 273 days. And, Phoenix recorded its fewest annual number of rainy days in 2020 — just 15.
Scattered Showers Expected Friday in Fresno
In its forecast discussion Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Hanford predicts scattered showers and higher elevation snow for Friday and Saturday in central California.
The storm could drop as much as a quarter-inch of rain in Fresno, NWS Hanford said.
NWS Hanford expects a “stronger and colder system” to arrive on Monday.
RELATED TOPICS:
Friant Needs $90 Million to Pay for Massive Canal Project. Who Will Pony Up?
2 hours ago
Ukraine’s Surprise Attack Has Forced Russia to Change Plans
4 hours ago
Californians Will Vote on $18 Minimum Wage. Workers Want $25 and More.
4 hours ago
Ricardo Lara Deserves Credit for Trying to Solve California’s Home Insurance Crisis
5 hours ago
Mark Gardner on Giants’ 2014 World Series Title, Why Fresno Turns Out Great Players
5 hours ago
What the Republican Party Might Look Like if Trump Loses
6 hours ago
CVS Grant Will Help Make Food Bank Mission About Fresno Jobs as Well as Food
17 mins ago
Categories
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14143723/Fresno-Mission-City-Center-First-Fruits-Market-tomato-1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
CVS Grant Will Help Make Food Bank Mission About Fresno Jobs as Well as Food
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14154055/A-former-school-principal-from-Dinuba-faces-murder-charges-after-a-December-2023-DUI-collision-that-killed-a-mother-and-daughter-and-injured-others-the-Tulare-County-DAs-office-announced-Wednesd-1024x538.jpg)
Former Dinuba School Principal Faces Life in Prison for DUI Deaths of Mom, Daughter
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14140813/IMG_7344-2048x1484-1-1024x576.jpg)
Friant Needs $90 Million to Pay for Massive Canal Project. Who Will Pony Up?
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14125622/Apartments-damaged-by-falling-missile-debris-injury-several-people-in-Kursk-Russia-on-Tuesday-Aug.-13-2024.-Ukraine-pressed-ahead-with-its-assault-inside-Russian-territory-on-Tuesday-a-week-1024x538.jpg)
Ukraine’s Surprise Attack Has Forced Russia to Change Plans
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14092611/020924_FAST_FOOD_UNION_JAH_CM_00739.jpg-1024x576.jpg)