Fresno is expected to reach about 84 degrees Saturday before a cooldown sweeps through the central San Joaquin Valley.
Weekend Cooling Arrives Fast
The National Weather Service forecast points to a weekend cooldown. Sunday’s high is forecast near 74 degrees, falling to about 68 Monday. The Fresno forecast lists Monday’s high below 70 degrees.
Fresno’s point forecast calls for partly sunny skies Sunday and mostly sunny conditions Monday, with no showers listed for the city. The central Sierra and foothills have a 20% to 35% chance of measurable rain Sunday and a chance of rain Monday. Sierra locations could see rain, with snow possible at higher elevations, so mountain plans may feel considerably more wintry than valley plans. The Fresno forecast and the Hanford office’s zone forecast detail the differences.
A separate wind hazard affects San Luis Reservoir, not Fresno itself: the National Weather Service has a Lake Wind Advisory in effect there through 11 p.m. Sunday. Forecasters warn that west winds could gust up to 50 mph, decreasing to 35 mph Saturday, with gusts over 35 mph likely into Sunday night, creating rough waves and hazardous conditions for small craft. Visitors planning to boat on the reservoir should account for the advisory even as valley temperatures cool. The active NWS advisory identifies San Luis Reservoir as the affected area.
The system behind the change is carrying moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel into eastern parts of central California. The National Weather Service says the main focus for rainfall is the Sierra Nevada and Kern County Desert, with a 50% to 70% chance of more than 2 inches of snow over 72 hours above 9,000 feet from Sunday into Wednesday morning. The Hanford forecast discussion highlights the high-elevation snow potential.
Temperatures Moderate Midweek
Temperatures are expected to warm midweek, with a sunny high of 76 degrees Wednesday. The National Weather Service’s Fresno forecast points to a midweek warm-up.
