Break out the umbrellas. Stockton is going to see more rain after a few short days of reprieve from a week of wet weather.
Another atmospheric river storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall to most of California this week, with forecasters predicting rain to begin late Wednesday. San Joaquin County residents can expect moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds in the area through Friday, forecasters said.
This is the fourth atmospheric river in less than two weeks, which is not out of the ordinary, according to Courtney Carpenter, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office.
“During wet periods during the winter, we typically get several storms back-to-back,” Carpenter said.
The beginning of the week has delivered temperatures in the mid- to high 50s in Stockton, with lows dropping into the 30s, according to the National Weather Service. But a warming trend associated with the new storm is expected by Wednesday, forecasters said.
Stockton could get 2 to 3 inches of rain by the end of the week, weather models suggest. The three previous storms dumped a little over 2 inches of rain, based on totals from the weather service.
NWS forecasters were calling for a 30% chance of showers Tuesday night and Wednesday, before the potential for rain jumps to 80% Wednesday night and 100% on Thursday.
The agency also warned the weather pattern is expected to bring heavy snow to Northern California and the Sierra.
A winter storm watch goes into effect at 10 p.m. Wednesday and lasts through 10 p.m. Friday for some Northern California mountain ranges. Wind gusts might be as strong as 50 mph, and snow accumulations could be as high as 8 inches.
The National Weather Service and the city of Stockton both suggest planning ahead for the storm by clearing gutters and storm drains of debris.
Residents should be cautious and prepared, Carpenter said. The heaviest rainfall has hit north of the San Joaquin Valley during recent storms. This week will see about 1 to 2 inches of precipitation, which is enough to create some roadway flooding, she added.
“We just ask people, as they’re out and about, never drive through flooded roadways,” Carpenter said, adding that drivers should turn around if they see road-closure signs, and residents should be aware if they live by creeks and streams.