Storm system moves into Merced this week

It’s another sunny, warmer-than-usual day ahead for the Northern San Joaquin Valley, but the National Weather Service says a change is approaching.

A storm system will move into the area Tuesday, bringing a chance of rain by afternoon, getting more likely by evening and Wednesday morning. It’s expected to drop up to a half-inch of rainfall, with more in the foothills.

Temperatures are expected to drop a few degrees: Wednesday’s high is expected to be 67 in Merced, down from today’s 75.

Rain in the valley means snow in the mountains, but this system is pretty warm, so the snow is expected to stay above 6,500 feet, forecasters say. The system should move out by Thursday, with high temperatures rising again to the mid 70s by the weekend.