August 22, 2017
Summary: A very weak upper low is centered a few hundred miles off the central California coast. The counterclockwise circulation around the low is pumping moisture through the Sacramento Valley where a few light showers are occurring. The low will keep temperatures near average through Wednesday then this feature will move to a position near the Channel Islands off the southern California coast by late Wednesday and eventually will move slowly inland Thursday. The chance for thunderstorms over the Sierra Nevada is certainly there. There could even be some locally heavy rains as the winds aloft are quite light, meaning any storm that does develop will be a slow mover. No precipitation is expected on the valley floor, but tops of the storms may blow off and drift over the valley. Other than that, skies will be mostly clear.
Beginning Thursday, temperatures will start to rise above average. In fact, hottest locations that day could see temperatures at the century mark. From Friday and on through at least the middle of next week, expect hot temperatures as a dome of high pressure aloft presses into the United States for generally clear skies with temperatures generally in the 100 to 105 degree range, especially from the weekend through the middle of next week.
Forecast: Occasional mid and high level clouds, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours, otherwise it will be mostly clear through Thursday. Mostly clear and hot Thursday night through Tuesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 95/64/97/66/99 | Reedley 96/65/98/66/99 | Dinuba 95/64/97/65/98 | |
| Porterville 96/65/98/66/100 | Lindsay 96/64/97/66/99 | Delano 97/68/98/68/100 | |
| Bakersfield 98/72/98/74/101 | Arvin 97/69/97/71/101 | Taft 96/74/97/75/100 | |
| Lamont 98/69/99/71/100 | Pixley 96/66/98/67/99 | Tulare 95/64/97/66/98 | |
| Woodlake 96/65/98/67/99 | Hanford 97/66/98/67/100 | Orosi 95/64/97/66/99 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Friday
Mostly clear 68/101 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 68/103 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 69/103 |
Monday
Mostly clear 70/104 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 71/103 |
Two Week Outlook: August 29 through September 4: Upper level high pressure will again dominate the pattern during this period. This model is also indicating the monsoon will work its way further west into at least southern California. There would appear to be a better than even chance for thunderstorm activity over the Sierra Nevada, but no precipitation is expected over the valley floor.
September: This model shows upper level high pressure more dominant over the western U.S. There’s no clear indicator of above or below average rainfall as we move into the fall season. With that in mind, we’ll call for near average precipitation for the month.
September, October, November: It appears temperatures overall will rise to above average values for the bulk of this time frame. Upper level high pressure is also more dominant with precipitation, believe it or not, predicted to be somewhat near average.
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 15 MPH through Friday and mainly out of the northwest afternoons and evenings.
Rain: Expect dry weather indefinitely.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Mid to upper 50s. Kern: Mid to upper 50s
Relative Humidity Forecast: Hanford, 25%/70% Bakersfield, 25%/50%
Actual Humidity August, 20, 2017: Delano, 74%/28%, Porterville, 72%30%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today 90% tomorrow 90%, Bakersfield: Today 100% tomorrow 80%.
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days August 20, 2017: Stratford 1.80, Parlier 1.44, Blackwell 2.07, Lindcove 1.57, Arvin 1.94, Orange Cove 1.84, Porterville 1.55, Delano 1.69, Madera Two 1.50. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 75, Parlier 81, Blackwell 79, Lindcove 78, Arvin NA, Orange Cove 82, Porterville 84, Delano 83, Madera Two 81
Mean Temperatures for August Month So Far: 82.7. +3.9
Record Temperatures: 108/51. Average Temperatures: 96/64
Cooling Degree Days This Season: 1594, +399 Courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since August 20, 2017, Fresno: 17.20 season / +5.88 or +5.88, Month to Date: T
Since August 20, 2017, Bakersfield: 7.88, or 1.46, Month to Date: T, Water year season is from October 1st through September.
Chilling Hours November 1st Through February 28: Orange Cove, Parlier, Arvin, Shafter, , Stratford, Madera two, Alpaugh, Delano, Lindcove, Porterville, Hours at 45 or below 45.
Sunrise: 6:22 am Sunset: 7:41 Hours of Daylight: 13:23
Yesterday’s Weather
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 91 / 64 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 92 / 68 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 93 / 68 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / M / 69 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 94 / 73 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 91 / 68 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1647 / 92 / 68 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 93 / 66 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1649 / 93 / 74 / 0.00 /
Rainfall:
To date Last year Average Annual Ave
STOCKTON 0.00 21.78 158 16.69 121 13.76 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 16.93 132 15.61 122 12.84 13.11
MERCED 0.00 16.03 131 14.66 120 12.20 12.50
MADERA 0.00 14.18 121 12.96 110 11.75 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 17.20 152 14.29 126 11.32 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 11.05 112 8.26 83 9.91 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.82 123 5.43 85 6.37 6.47
BISHOP T 9.18 187 3.88 79 4.92 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 16.45 130 13.47 106 12.65 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 16.14 129 8.06 65 12.49 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 18.44 134 9.00 65 13.80 13.95
Rainfall season from October 1st through September 30th
Next Report: Wednesday, August 23