Merced could see rain amid recent cooler temperatures. Here’s what residents can expect

The unseasonably cool weather this week in the Merced area is forecast to possibly bring rain as well in the coming weekend.

The expected high of 82 on Friday and Saturday is a stark difference compared to just a little more than a week ago, when on Sept. 6 Merced hit a record high of 115, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford.

Sunday is expected to be even cooler with a high of 75 and a 40% chance of rain during the day. The chance of rain will increase to 60% Sunday night, and 70% Monday.

The chances for rain in the region are greater to the northwest end of the San Joaquin Valley, while areas further south like Tulare County to have little to no shot at precipitation.

David Spector, National Weather Service meteorologist, said temperatures will likely heat back up around the second half of next week, with temperatures into the 90s by next weekend.

Light snow is possible over Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park on Sunday night through Monday night, meteorologists say.

The precipitation could be good news for those fighting the Mosquito Fire, according to Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA.

Mapping from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services reported the wildfire at 61,012 acres (95.3 square miles) with Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service reporting 20% containment. The fire in Placer County grew by more than 10,000 acres on Wednesday from the Tuesday evening update, and containment fell from 25%.

“Against the odds, a very early and pretty substantial/probably ‘fire season slowing’ precipitation event appears likely for much of NorCal late this weekend,” he tweeted on Thursday. “If we can get through the Sat-Sun SW wind event, things will likely be looking much better on #MosquitoFire by Mon.”

The Sacramento Bee contributed to this report.