Ready for more rain, Merced? Showers are headed to area along with possible thunderstorm

You might want to carry around an umbrella this weekend in Merced.

Rain is heading toward the area after a brief dry spell, the National Weather Service said, along with a possible thunderstorm.

“We are looking at rain coming in late Saturday with maybe up two quarters of an inch,” said J.P. Kalb, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Hanford.

Kalb said the last time Merced experienced measurable rainfall was Feb. 13, when 0.7 inches of precipitation fell.

Here’s what to expect this weekend and upcoming week.

What’s in the weather forecast for Merced?

Merced was expected to be sunny on Friday with high temperature near 77 degrees, according to the weather service’s latest seven-day forecast.

The overnight low temperature was expected to drop to around 45 degrees.

Saturday will feature sunny skies with a high near 73 and a low of around 48.

When will the rain start?

There is a 30% chance of rain developing after 4 a.m. Saturday, which the low will be around 48.

Sunday will see rain before 10 a.m. and a possible thunderstorm between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m, the weather service said.

By Sunday night, there is a 60% chance of precipitation. Sunday will have a high of 59 and a low of 44.

Will there be more rain?

The forecast for Merced calls for “multiple storms” as well as a drop in temperatures, according to Kalb.

Showers are likely on Sunday, with a 70% chance of precipitation during the day and 50% overnight into Monday, the weather service said.

More showers are possible on Monday, with a 20% chance of rain during the day, which will be partly sunny with a high of 59, the weather service said.

By Monday night, the low will be 42.

On Tuesday, it is expected to be sunny, with a 40% chance of rainfall developing in the evening.

The high is expected to be near 61 and a low of 44.

Wednesday is expected to bring a 50% chance of rain, with a high near 61 and a low of 43.

The weather service forecasts a 40% chance of rain on Thursday and a high of 62.`

This story was originally published February 28, 2025 at 1:32 PM.

Fernanda Galan

The Fresno Bee

559-441-6005

Fernanda Galan covers Central Valley and California news as The Fresno Bee’s service journalism reporter. Before joining The Bee in 2024, she reported in Milwaukee, Arizona and Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.