Wet start to winter in Tulare County forecast

On December 22, 2024By Littum

Visalians dreaming of a white Christmas may be disappointed to find that rain, not snow, is in the holiday forecast.

Rain could fall in the Central Valley on the first day of winter, Saturday, Dec. 21, National Weather Service officials said.

However, low temperatures will also be around 10 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year. That warming is expected to continue into Christmas Day, meteorologists said.

On Christmas Eve, there is a 50 to 90% chance of “measurable precipitation” in the San Joaquin Valley, according to Thursday’s NWS daily forecast.

“A stronger trough will move further south into the forecast beginning Christmas Eve,” NWS meteorologists stated. “This holiday system is expected to bring about a tenth of an inch of rain to much of the San Joaquin Valley, with totals increasing as you go north.”

This system also looks set to bring snow to the Sierra Nevada, and holiday travel could be affected, especially in the mountains, meteorologists said.

Five day weather forecast

Saturday: Light fog before 07.00. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a low around 47 degrees and a high near 67 degrees.

Sunday: Widespread fog, mainly before 9. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low of 47 degrees and a high near 63 degrees. Widespread fog is expected on Sunday evening.

Monday: Fog areas before 10. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a low of 49 degrees and a high near 65 degrees. Widespread fog is expected between 11pm and 1am

Tuesday (Christmas Eve): The chance of precipitation is 70%, with rainfall amounts between a quarter and a half inch possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44 degrees and a high of 62 degrees.

Wednesday (Christmas Day): Areas with fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy with a high near 54 degrees.