A flood watch remains in effect for the Modesto area as a winter storm continues to impact Northern California. The National Weather Service has extended the flood watch until Friday at 4 p.m., covering the Northern San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento Valley, and northern Sierra-Nevada.
Heavy rains are expected throughout the Central Valley, foothills, and mountains this week, including on Christmas Day, which falls on Thursday. Although most heavy rain bands have stayed north of Modesto so far, there is a chance of showers Monday afternoon and dense fog is forecast from 2 to 5 a.m. Tuesday. The weather is expected to worsen by Tuesday night with wind gusts reaching up to 46 mph.
Rainfall chances in Modesto are high—between 90% and 100%—for Tuesday night and Wednesday. The National Weather Service forecasts between half an inch and three-quarters of an inch of rain during this period. Rain showers are also predicted for Christmas Day with temperatures around 55 degrees.
The Sacramento Bee reported that the atmospheric river storm has led to significant impacts across Northern California, closing major roadways and causing water rescues. Flooding in Redding resulted in one fatality.
In a Facebook post, the Stanislaus County Office of Emergency Services urged residents to take precautions during this period of unstable weather.
