Half-Inch Rain on New Year’s Day Signals Continued Storm Risk

New Year’s Day brought measurable precipitation to Fresno, with about a half-inch of rain recorded on Thursday morning, Jan. 1. The National Weather Service office in Hanford issued a forecast at the start of the year that rain would not be a one-day event, and local weather-watch products remained active as the system moved through the region.

NWS Hanford predicted showers would continue through the weekend, with the possibility of thunderstorms on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The forecast identified Sunday as the day likely to produce the heaviest additional rainfall, estimating between a half-inch and an inch in some locations. The forecast also included a 20 percent chance of rain on the following Tuesday.

Officials extended a Flood Watch to 10 p.m. Thursday for southern and eastern Kern County and issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Sierra Nevada above 6,000 feet from Yosemite to Kings Canyon national parks. The winter advisory was flagged for possible extension or upgrade because forecasters anticipated a new band of precipitation later Sunday that could deliver significant snow above 6,000 feet across much of the Sierra Nevada, including portions of Tulare County.

In addition to rain and mountain snow concerns, dense fog has been persistent across the San Joaquin Valley this winter. NWS Hanford cautioned that fog “will continue to be an issue as well,” a condition that can reduce visibility on local highways and complicate commutes and freight movement through Fresno County.

The combination of valley fog, lowland rain and mountain snow carries practical implications for residents. Urban and low-lying streets may see localized ponding where drainage is limited, and limited visibility from fog increases the risk of collisions on county roads and state highways. Higher elevations should expect deepening snowpack and rapidly changing road conditions that can affect travel to recreation areas and passage through mountain passes.

Residents are advised to monitor updates from NWS Hanford and county road and emergency services for changes to watches and advisories. Preparing for reduced visibility while driving, allowing extra travel time, and checking mountain road conditions before heading into higher terrain are prudent steps as the system moved through the region.