Dec. 21 – While a number of atmospheric rivers are expected to make landfall in Northern California this weekend, forecasters predict San Joaquin County may not get drenched until early next week. Katrina Hand, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office, said most of Saturday’s expected precipitation would be seen north of Interstate 80.

“We expect Sacramento and the South to get an inch or less of rain,” she said. “Early next week there will be about a half to an inch and a half of rain in the northern San Joaquin Valley on Monday or Tuesday.”

An atmospheric river is a flowing column of condensed water vapor in the atmosphere that is responsible for producing significant amounts of rain and snow.

The NWS said there will likely be showers in Lodi today before 2 p.m. and temperatures will be in the high 50s.

Saturday evening there is a 40% chance of rain, especially after 10 p.m., with temperatures dropping into the low 50s.

On Sunday there is a 50 percent chance of rain before 10 a.m., temperatures will be in the low 60s and skies will be mostly cloudy. Further rainfall is expected on Sunday night.

Monday will be mostly cloudy with temperatures in the high 60s, with rain expected again after 10 p.m

Rainfall is expected to occur in the area before 4pm on Christmas Eve, but Christmas Day will be partly sunny and temperatures will be around 50°C.

More showers are likely on Dec. 26, according to the NWS.