California in the Midst of Unseasonably Wet and Cool Week

Posted: May 3, 2023 9:30 am

May is typically the start of a drier season across California but the month has been anything but that so far. A slow-moving storm system is forecast to drop about a month’s worth of rain in just a few days across the Golden State. Unseasonably cool temperatures will accompany this moisture.

Here is what the state can anticipate in the coming days.

Atmospheric Traffic Jam to Blame for Unsettled Weather on Both Coasts

What weather experts refer to as atmospheric traffic jam has put the halt on spring weather across the East Coast and the West Coast as the calendar flips from April to May.

The Upper Midwest experienced snowfall well over one foot in some areas to start the month while the interior Northeast is dealing with the threat of frosts and freezes.

Over on the West Coast, the situation is presenting as a wet weather maker that is producing rain showers for the lower elevations and more snow in the higher terrains.

After spinning out in the Pacific Ocean to start the week, the storm system pressed farther inland on Tuesday in California. The northern and central parts of the state saw a mix of rain and snow pairing with dramatically cooler temperatures.

For instance, the city of Redding struggled to break the 60-degree mark on Tuesday. The rest of the week will see readings in the upper 60s and low 70s with soggy conditions.

What is most jarring is that this stretch of cool and wet weather moved into Redding just a few days after the region saw several days of temperatures that climbed into the upper 80s and low 90s.

Typically immune to this type of wet pattern, the rain will also impact Southern California this week. Los Angeles is forecast to see the mercury hovering in the 60s with rain on tap for Thursday. You will find a similar situation in the central parts of the state, including the normally dry and warm city of Fresno.

Central California may also be under the gun for thunderstorm development. These storms could produce small hail and heavy rain. Forecasters are warning that the rain may catch some residents off guard on the roadways. The localized heavy rain could create ponding on the roadways as well as reduced visibility.

How Cold Will it Get?

Rain will not be the only anomaly of this early May weather system. Temperatures will be significantly cooler than usual. The mercury will remain in the 60s for the balance of the week in places such as Sacramento, San Jose, and San Diego.

It will be even chillier along the coastal areas. Santa Barbara will see daily high temperature linger in the 50s until at least the weekend. Overnight lows will fall into the upper 40s, making for some cold nights for this part of the state.

The change will be even more drastic in the central part of California. For example, Fresno soared to 97 degrees last week. However, temperatures will stay in the 60s for the balance of the week.

Normal temperatures during the first month of May land around the 80-degree threshold.

This lingering cold air will support the development of snow in the higher terrains of the Sierra Nevada. Snow levels could fall as low as 4,000 feet. Forecasters are also warning that snow may be an issue in the heavily traveled Grapevine on Interstate 5. Be sure to check road conditions before heading out in the mountains this week.

The long-range forecast is calling for more unsettled weather through the first few weeks of May up and down the West Coast.

A storm this weekend is predicted to deliver more moisture for the Pacific Northwest and down into Northern California. At this time, it looks as if most of Central and Southern California will be spared the worst of the impacts.

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