Storm to possibly bring light rain Wednesday

Another storm typical for 2013 will quickly move into and out of the Orange Belt this week.

National Weather Service meteorologist James Brotherton said the storm could produce some showers Tuesday night, with a 40 percent chance of rain Wednesday and just a slight chance Wednesday night.

Then, it will be gone.

Storms so far this year have been quick in and quick out with rainfall light. The last storm March 7 produced 0.64 of an inch, the most of any single storm this winter, but like all the others, that was all it would produce. That storm moved out and left nice weather in its wake.

Brotherton said Porterville should not expect more than a tenth of an inch from the storm. That is disappointing for those watching the rain gauge that so far has held just 5.01 inches of precipitation since July 1, the driest weather year on record if some more rain does not fall.

Brotherton said there could be another chance of some rain early next week, but after Wednesday’s storm moves out, temperatures will rise again into the upper-70s. Wednesday’s high will be in the upper-60s, about normal for this time of the year.

The storm will bring some strong wind. The weather service is calling for wind gusts as high as 25 mph on Wednesday evening, with stronger gusts in the mountains. The snow line will be at least 6,000 feet, with less than half of a foot expected.