SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, CA – A strong fall storm system is sweeping through the San Joaquin Valley, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and a sharp temperature drop across key growing regions. Showers began moving through Modesto mid-morning and are expected to spread southward, reaching Bakersfield by late evening. The heaviest rainfall is forecast to taper off by midday Tuesday, though light post-frontal showers may linger into the night.
Rain totals are expected to exceed 1 inch for most fields, with up to 2 inches possible in the Sierra foothills. Morning lows will range from the upper 40s to low 50s, while daytime highs will remain in the low 60s before warming to the mid-70s by the weekend. Dry and more stable conditions are forecast to return by Wednesday, according to the latest Weather Mission report.
Looking ahead, forecasters are monitoring another frontal system expected to arrive early Monday, October 21, bringing additional rainfall—though lighter than this first round. Cooler and windier-than-normal conditions are expected to follow, extending through the week and potentially impacting harvest and field access.
The current pattern reflects a significant shift toward wetter conditions after a dry start to October, with field operations likely to face short-term disruptions. Growers may need to plan around intermittent rain events and cooler mornings as the storm track remains active through the end of the month…