Still more rain and snow await in Modesto-area watershed. Where do we stand on water?

National Weather Service

The Modesto area can expect more rain Monday and Tuesday, followed by another frost warning.

The Modesto Irrigation District recorded a total of 1.3 inches of rain at its downtown offices from Friday through 1 p.m. Monday. The total has reached more than 14.25 inches for the water year that began July 1, with a month to go in the main storm season. The annual average is 12.12 inches.

MID and nearby agencies rely mostly on the central Sierra Nevada snowpack. It stood at 185% of average Monday, the California Department of Water Resources reported. The weekend brought snow down to the foothills.

The National Weather Service forecast up to 5 feet of Sierra snow and an inch of Modesto rain through Wednesday. The city could have a high temperature of just 49 degrees Monday, along with wind gusting up to 25 miles per hour.

Overnight temperatures could dip to 38, followed by a high of 48 and wind up to 24 mph Tuesday.

Wednesday looks to be sunny, with a high of 51 and winds up to 25 mph. Thursday could dawn with a low of 29 and reach perhaps 55. Friday also is expected to be frosty, followed by a chance of rain over the weekend.

The snowpack had surpassed 200% of average after nine storms over three weeks in January. A few dry weeks ensued until the blasts of late February.

Below-average rain and snow fell from 2020 to 2022, leading to water cutbacks that varied from mild to severe in Stanislaus County. The 2023 supplies will range from 35% to 100%, depending on water rights and reservoir storage.

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