MOUNTAIN AREA — A series of Pacific weather systems will bring several rounds of precipitation and wind to the western U.S. this week, according to the National Weather Service. Several inches of rain could fall in portions of California, especially in the coastal ranges and foothills. Snow is forecast in the higher mountains. In addition, winds will be strong, especially in mountainous areas, which could pose a hazard to high-profile vehicles.
Thursday
On Thursday, Oct. 27 in Oakhurst, the NWS is predicting a 40 percent chance of rain after 11 a.m., with clouds increasing and a high near 75 degrees. By Thursday night, there’s a 100 percent chance of rain predicted and it’s expected to be heavy at times. Between three quarters and an inch of new rain is possible overnight, when temps will drop to about 47 degrees.
Thursday in the high country including Yosemite, increasing clouds bring a 70 percent chance of rain with a high near 57. South southwest winds will blow around 10 miles per hour. On Thursday night in Yosemite the low is forecast for around 33, with south to 15 miles per hour and a 100 percent chance of new precipitation amounting to between one and two inches of rain is possible, and temperatures near freezing.
Friday
Showers are likely on Friday, Oct. 28 in the foothills, with a high near 68 degrees. There’s a 100 percent chance of new precipitation amounting to less than a tenth of an inch, says the NWS. Friday night the chance of showers drops to 40 percent and the skies remain cloudy with a low around 44 and winds of five to ten miles per hour.
Showers are predicted in Yosemite with a high temp around 49 degrees and south southwest wind with gusts as high as 20 miles per hour, with a 100 chance of new precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Friday night the chance of showers decrease to 50 percent while the temp drops down to around 32. South southwest wind continues around 15 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 20 miles per hour, according to the NWS.
Saturday
It’s expected to be a little warmer on Saturday, Oct. 29 with a high near 70 degrees in the foothills, and just a 20 percent chance of rain. The local forecast calls for the weather to be mostly cloudy into the evening with a 40 percent chance of rain and a low around 44.
In Yosemite on Saturday, the NWS predicts the same 20 percent chance of rain, but much colder, with a high near 50. South southwest wind will blow around 15 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 25 miles per hour. By Saturday night, there’s a 50 percent chance rain and snow, with a low around 30 and winds continuing to gust.
Sunday
The chance of rain increases to 50 percent on Sunday, Oct. 30 in Oakhurst, with a high near 62, and a south wind around 10 miles per hour. Sunday night the NWS is predicting a 30 percent chance of rain with a low around 39, and south wind around 5 miles per hour, becoming northeast in the evening.
On Sunday in Yosemite, snow is likely. The skies will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Breezy winds around 20 miles per hour will gust as high as 25 miles per hour and the chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Sunday night a there’s a 50 percent chance of snow with a low around 23. Winds decrease to 5 to 10 miles per hour in the evening.
Monday and Tuesday
Monday — aka Halloween — in Oakhurst the weather is predicted to have a 20 percent chance of showers and otherwise to be mostly sunny, with a high near 62, and Tuesday so far looks about the same.
In Yosemite, there’s still a 20 percent chance of snow showers, with a high near 41 continuing into Monday night with a low around 23 and south southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. By Tuesday, it’s expected to be mostly sunny n Yosemite, with a high near 41.
Weather patterns change quickly — check these links for further information.
National Weather Service forecast for Oakhurst
National Weather Service forecast for Yosemite
