September 22, 2017
Summary: It was quite chilly last night. Lows in most locations fell well down into the 40s. the coldest I could find was 43 degrees at both Lindcove and Strathmore. It’s a surprise to no one that these readings are 4 to 6 weeks ahead of schedule. Expect similar conditions tonight.
A cold low, mainly at the upper levels of the atmosphere, is centered over northern Nevada and Idaho. The counterclockwise flow around this low has the winds above central California out of the north/northwest. In fact, if you go up to 18,000 feet, winds are out of the north/northwest at 55 MPH.
Freezing levels are way down for this early in the year with a reading of 9,200 feet at Vandenberg and 8,400 feet over Oakland. Showers of rain or snow will develop over the Sierra again with snow down to roughly 7,500 feet.
On the valley, the main impact will be chilly temps for this early in the season with readings in the low to mid 70s as opposed to average temperatures of upper 80s this time of year.
Models continue to indicate this low will remain in place through Saturday then will begin to drift to the east Sunday and Monday, allowing a warming trend to begin Sunday, but more so Monday and Tuesday. Upper level high pressure will build eastward, mainly into the Pacific Northwest and northern California, creating a weak off shore flow. By Tuesday, warmer locations will see temperatures in the lower 90s and low to mid 90s can be expected beginning Wednesday and lasting through the remainder of next week. So summer will make a triumphant return even though this is the first day of fall.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Monday. Mostly clear and warmer Monday night through Friday.
Short Term:
| Madera 74/46/77/47/82 | Reedley 75/44/78/47/82 | Dinuba 74/44/78/46/81 | |
| Porterville 75/44/78/47/83 | Lindsay 75/42/79/46/82 | Delano 75/48/79/49/83 | |
| Bakersfield 74/51/77/57/83 | Arvin 73/48/77/52/84 | Taft 74/51/76/58/84 | |
| Lamont 76/50/79/53/84 | Pixley 74/45/77/49/83 | Tulare 74/44/78/48/82 | |
| Woodlake 75/45/78/48/82 | Hanford 74/45/78/48/83 | Orosi 75/43/79/47/82 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Monday
Mostly clear 53/85 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 56/91 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 59/94 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 62/95 |
Friday
Mostly clear 62/94 |
Two Week Outlook: September 29 through October 5: This model reverts back to a ridge pattern with high pressure being dominant over the western United States. This would dry temperatures to above and possibly well above average during this time frame with little chance of precipitation.
October: The month of October, according to the latest models, will have generally or at least marginally above average temperatures as high pressure remains over the Desert Southwest. The Pacific Northwest will have above average precipitation and above average temperatures. Central California will be squeezed between these two systems, so it appears we’ll have an equal chance of rain for the month, which shouldn’t range too far from average.
October, November, December: Looking out to October through December, models show marginally above average temperatures for central and southern California. Models also indicate precipitation will be near average with the main storm track moving through the Pacific Northwest.
Winds: Winds will be mainly out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH with stronger gusts, especially along the west side, through Saturday, diminishing during the overnight hours. Winds Sunday and Monday will be generally less than 15 MPH with near calm conditions, mainly during the night and early morning hours.
Rain: Expect dry conditions indefinitely
Afternoon Dew Points Today:. Upper 30s to the lower 40s
Relative Humidity Forecast: Hanford, 30%/75% Bakersfield, 30%/65%
Actual Humidity September 20, 2017: Delano, 83%/29%, Porterville, 85%/25%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today 90% tomorrow 90%, Bakersfield: Today 90% tomorrow 100%.
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days September 20, 2017: Stratford 1.46, Parlier 1.24, Blackwell 1.44, Lindcove 1.20, Arvin 1.39, Orange Cove 1.38, Porterville 1.03, Delano 1.28, Madera Two 1.24 Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 74, Parlier 75, Blackwell 76, Lindcove 76, Arvin 1.89, Orange Cove 77, Porterville 81, Delano 76, Madera Two 79
Mean Temperatures for September Month So Far: 79.0+4.3
Record Temperatures: 102/42. Average Temperatures: 90/58
Cooling Degree Days This Season: 2102, +577 Courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since September 20, 2017, Fresno: 17.30 season. or +5.89. Month to Date: .10
Since September 20, 2017, Bakersfield: 7.89, or +1.90, Month to Date: ..51
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: 6:47 am Sunset: 6:55 Hours of Daylight: 12:11
Yesterday’s Weather
MAE : Madera 253 : DHM / M / 55 / 0.07 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 71 / 56 / 0.10 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 74 / 55 / 0.05 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 77 / 56 / T /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 73 / 57 / 0.01 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 72 / 55 / 0.08 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1657 / 74 / 57 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 72 / 55 / 0.04 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1653 / 67 / 55 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / M / 57 / 0.00 /
Rainfall:
To date Last year Average Annual ave
STOCKTON 0.00 21.79 156 16.69 120 13.93 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 16.93 130 15.61 120 12.99 13.11
MERCED 0.01 16.05 130 14.66 118 12.39 12.50
MADERA 0.00 14.26 120 12.96 109 11.92 12.02
FRESNO 0.06 17.36 152 14.29 125 11.42 11.50
HANFORD 0.05 11.21 112 8.26 82 10.03 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.01 8.34 130 5.43 84 6.44 6.47
BISHOP T 9.18 180 3.88 76 5.09 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 16.49 129 13.47 106 12.75 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 16.17 128 8.06 64 12.67 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 18.91 136 9.00 65 13.89 13.95
Rainfall season from October 1st through September 30th
Next Report: Saturday, September 23