August 28, 2017
Summary: A very strong high pressure system is centered near Las Vegas this morning. The result is excessively hot temperatures with readings in the mid 90s as high as 5,000 feet. Temperatures in the valley Sunday afternoon were generally in the 105 to 108 category. However, Bakersfield hit 109 and Lemoore 110. The marine layer along the coast is shallow, roughly 1,000 feet, so no help there.
Forecast models for the rest of the week are not encouraging as they indicate strong high pressure will continue. In fact, readings will surpass the 100 degree mark through probably Sunday. Readings will tone down slightly Wednesday as a trough of low pressure moves into the Pacific Northwest, weakening the high a bit. Once we get back to Thursday and then through the weekend, the high will regenerate over the Great Basin, driving temperatures up again with readings possibly as high as 108 or so Friday and Saturday.
Models longer term are not really encouraging, either, as they show above average temperatures next week and possibly the following week, as well, but not as hot as we’re experiencing now as temperatures will be at near record values this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon. There are also some mid level clouds entering southern California which may make it over the valley floor later today through Tuesday. I don’t anticipate enough cloud cover to make any difference in the extreme heat.
Forecast: Mostly clear and very hot through Tuesday. Mostly clear and a little less hot Wednesday and Thursday. Mostly clear and possibly very hot again Friday through Sunday. Mostly clear Monday and a bit cooler.
Short Term:
| Madera 108/72/108/72/104 | Reedley 107/70/108/72/104 | Dinuba 107/71/107/72/103 | |
| Porterville 108/71/108/71/105 | Lindsay 108/70/108/71/104 | Delano 109/76/109/76/106 | |
| Bakersfield 110/84/110/84/106 | Arvin 111/80/110/80/106 | Taft 109/85/109/84/106 | |
| Lamont 110/80/110/81/107 | Pixley 108/72/108/73/105 | Tulare 107/71/108/72/104 | |
| Woodlake 108/72/108/71/104 | Hanford 109/72/108/72/105 | Orosi 107/72/107/71/105 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Thursday
Mostly clear 71/105 |
Friday
Mostly clear 72/107 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 73/107 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 72/105 |
Monday
Mostly clear 70/100 |
Two Week Outlook: September 4 through September 10: This model is rather interesting this morning. It shows a moist, southerly flow moving into southern California from a possible tropical system not even on the weather map yet. On paper, central California is on the northern rim of activity. It’s too far out to put rain in the forecast, but it is a model one doesn’t see often. Temperatures will remain at least marginally above average.
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 Thursday and mainly out of the northwest afternoons and evenings.
Rain: Expect dry weather indefinitely.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 50s. Kern: Low to mid 50s
Relative Humidity Forecast: Hanford, 20%/80% Bakersfield, 15%/50%
Actual Humidity August 26, 2017: Delano, 93%/23%, Porterville, 79%/22%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today 100% tomorrow 100%, Bakersfield: Today 100% tomorrow 100%.
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days August 26, 2017: Stratford 1.90, Parlier 1.48, Blackwell 1.93, Lindcove 1.56, Arvin 1.87, Orange Cove 1.78, Porterville 1.49, Delano 1.67, Madera Two 1.48. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 77, Parlier 81, Blackwell 81, Lindcove 79, Arvin NA, Orange Cove 82, Porterville 85, Delano 83, Madera Two 81
Mean Temperatures for August Month So Far: 82.5. +4.0
Record Temperatures: 109/51. Average Temperatures: 95/63
Cooling Degree Days This Season: 1698, +427 Courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since August 26, 2017, Fresno: 17.20 season / +5.87 or +5.87, Month to Date: T
Since August 26, 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: 6:27 am Sunset: 7:32 Hours of Daylight: 13:10
Yesterday’s Weather
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 106 / 68 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 106 / 72 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 107 / 68 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 110 / 69 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 109 / 79 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 104 / 70 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1652 / 105 / 72 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 107 / 72 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1651 / 107 / 83 / 0.00 /
Rainfall:
To date Last year Average Annual ave
STOCKTON 0.00 21.79 158 16.69 121 13.77 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 16.93 132 15.61 121 12.85 13.11
MERCED 0.00 16.03 131 14.66 120 12.20 12.50
MADERA 0.00 14.18 121 12.96 110 11.76 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 17.20 152 14.29 126 11.33 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 11.05 111 8.26 83 9.92 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.82 123 5.43 85 6.38 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 9.18 185 3.88 78 4.96 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 16.45 130 13.47 106 12.66 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 16.14 129 8.06 64 12.53 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: Tuesday August 29