FRESNO, CA — National Weather Service forecasters are tracking a major weather pattern change for the West Coast expected to bring cold and wet weather to the region starting late next week.
The upcoming shift would end a dry spell that has defined the start of 2026. Since the beginning of the year, the West Coast has been warmer and drier than normal.
According to reports released Thursday by the Climate Prediction Center, there is a 40% to 50% chance of colder temperatures in the Central Valley and nearby areas starting in mid-February. Forecasters also estimate a 50% to 60% chance of more rain than usual for the region.
While the valley floor may see rain, cold air and moisture are expected to reach the Sierra Nevada. National Weather Service forecasters say this combination could lead to heavy snow in the mountains as the storm moves in.
These predictions indicate a significant turn from the dry conditions reported across the region throughout January and early February. The transition is expected to return the region to more typical winter conditions by the middle of the month.
Forecasters note that deep mountain snow is possible because cold air and moisture are expected to hit the region at the same time. This would mark a sharp contrast to the mild conditions seen across the West Coast over the last several weeks.
