Dry weather expected after recent storm brought hail to Merced area, forecasters say
After a storm brought strong winds and hail to parts of Merced County on Wednesday, forecasters say the area can expect to see dry weather through the weekend.
According to meteorologist Emily Wilson with the National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley office in Hanford, the Merced area saw about 0.20 inches of rain on Wednesday with “pea-sized” hail reported in the Atwater area. The storm cell also produced winds of around 25 mph with gusts as high as 32 mph.
Thursday in the Merced region was expected to be partly sunny with high temperatures in the upper 50s before dropping to a low of about 40 degrees overnight, Wilson said.
On Friday, temperatures are expected to reach the mid 60s with sunny skies before temperatures drop to about 40 degrees Saturday morning. Saturday is expected to be sunny with high temperatures around 67 degrees and a low of about 43 degrees Sunday morning.
The Merced area can expect to see mostly sunny conditions on Sunday with high temperatures in the mid 60s and a low of about 40 degrees Monday morning. Monday is expected to be mostly sunny with high temperatures in the upper 50s.
Flood warning on Merced River near Stevinson
A flood warning remains in effect for an area of Merced County north of Stevinson where the Merced River is above flood stage. The river was running at 71.26 feet and the level is not expected to decrease anytime soon, according to Wilson.
Hagaman Park on the river at Highway 165 is flooded — typical in high-flow years, Merced County spokesperson Mike North said. The county has installed barricades to keep the public out of the flooded areas.
North said the county reminds the public to use caution and to stay away form fast-moving water in rivers and flooded areas. According to Merced County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Michelle Oliver, an evacuation warning remains in effect for the Newman and Stevinson area. Oliver said the sheriff’s office asks that people remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings, to not drive through blocked roadways and to stay out of the water.
Mariposa dries out
Wilson of the weather service said the Mariposa area saw about 0.21 inches of rain Wednesday with wind gusts as high as 27 mph.
The Mariposa area was expected to see partly sunny conditions Thursday with a high temperatures in the upper 40s before dropping to around 33 degrees overnight. Sunny conditions are expected for the area Friday with high temperatures in the mid 50s dropping to the mid 30s at night.
The area is expected to see sunny conditions with high temperatures in the upper 50s on Saturday and low temperatures in the upper 30s at night. Sunday temperatures are expected to reach the upper 50s with mostly sunny conditions before dropping to around the mid 30s at night with about a 30% chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service forecast.