December 29, 2017
Summary: Another chilly early morning. Low temperatures throughout the citrus belts are generally 30 to 33 with a few locations in the upper 20s. Kern County is a bit milder with most temperatures in the mid 30s.
Strong upper level high pressure has shifted to the east and essentially is right over central and southern California. This will drive afternoon temperatures even higher with mid to upper 60s likely, especially Saturday and Sunday. This should have the tendency to marginally drag up overnight lows with colder locations still at or below freezing.
More and more cloud cover will move in during the late part of the weekend and early next week. By Tuesday, models are showing a breakdown of this incredibly persistent high that has kept us dry for so long. There are wide variances in the timing and movement of a possible low trekking in from the west. Models suggest everything from Tuesday night to early Thursday, but the bottom line is that there does seem to be a trend developing here in the high breaking down and Pacific storms moving back into California.
Some current models suggest a system moving through Wednesday with a second possible system Friday night or Saturday.
Forecast: Mostly clear through Sunday with a few patches of late night and early morning fog and occasional high clouds. Expect continued hazy conditions. Partly cloudy Monday and Monday night. increasing cloudiness Tuesday leading to a slight chance of showers Tuesday night with a better chance of showers Wednesday through Thursday. Partly cloudy Thursday night and Friday.
Short Term:
| Madera 63/31/65/31/65 | Reedley 64/30/65/30/66 | Dinuba 64/29/65/30/66 | |
| Porterville 65/30/65/30/67 | Lindsay 64/30/65/31/66 | Delano 64/31/65/32/67 | |
| Bakersfield 65/38/67/39/69 | Arvin 66/35/68/36/70 | Taft 66/41/68/42/69 | |
| Lamont 66/31/68/32/69 | Pixley 65/30/68/31/68 | Tulare 63/29/65/30/66 | |
| Woodlake 64/30/65/31/67 | Hanford 64/31/65/32/67 | Orosi 64/30/65/31/67 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Monday
Partly cloudy 37/65 |
Tuesday
Increasing clouds 42/63 |
Wednesday
Chance of showers 44/63 |
Thursday
Chance of showers 48/64 |
Friday
Partly cloudy 45/63 |
Two Week Outlook: January 5 through January 11: This model is showing a more favorable pattern for wet weather returning to central California as the blocking high has vanished. Currently, it appears Pacific storms will be of a mild nature so temperatures are likely to remain above seasonal average.
January: Overall during January this season, temperatures should range somewhat above average. This model also shows equal chances of near average precipitation over the northern half of the state but below average precip over the southern half of California. We remain between these two It forecasts, so hopefully precipitation will be near seasonal levels.
January, February, March: This model is not hopeful for above average precipitation, or even average precipitation. Overall, upper level high pressure is projected to be the most dominant feature for the next three months, resulting in average temperatures.
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 10 MPH with periods of near calm conditions through Monday.
Rain: There is definitely a trend on projections for the middle of next week. The persistent dome of high pressure is shown being replaced by a trough of low pressure along the west coast. The best chance of rain appears to be Wednesday and Thursday, though timing ranges from Tuesday night to early Thursday. The bottom line, though, is that there is a pattern change coming that may bring at least light precipitation to the valley and, more importantly, to the mountains.
Another low shows up about Friday night and Saturday of next week with the possibility of showers beginning about Friday night or Saturday.
Frost: Most locations as of 6:00am were in the 30 to 33 degree range with coldest locations in the upper 20s. In Kern County, some locations are in the mid 30s with low 30s in colder locations.
The high which has been just off shore is now centered over southern and central California. This will drive daytime highs up even further and, with some luck, this should tug overnight lows up a few degrees also.
For Saturday and Sunday mornings I look for generally low to mid 30s with the coldest locations dipping into the upper 20s. during the late part of the weekend and early next week, models are showing more and more cloud cover. With some luck, this may drag most locations above freezing by Monday morning.
Clouds will begin increasing Tuesday ahead of a low pressure system approaching from the west. There does seem to be a trend which would result in an increasing chance of rain at mid week and possibly again late Friday or Saturday. These systems are originating in the mid Pacific. The result would be mild temperatures with overnight lows zooming up into the upper 40s at most locations with mild conditions through next weekend.
Lows Tonight:
| Terra Bella
30 |
Porterville
31 |
Ivanhoe
31 |
Woodlake
30 |
| Strathmore
29 |
McFarland
30 |
Ducor
31 |
Tea Pot Dome
30 |
| Lindsay
30 |
Exeter
29 |
Famoso
32 |
Madera
31 |
| Belridge
30 |
Delano
32 |
North Bakersfield
32 |
Orosi
30 |
| Orange Cove
30 |
Lindcove
29 |
Lindcove Hillside
AF |
Sanger River Bottom
27 |
| Root Creek
29 |
Venice Hill
30 |
Rosedale
33 |
Jasmine
31 |
| Arvin
AF |
Lamont
31 |
Plainview
30 |
Mettler
AF |
| Edison
AF |
Maricopa
32 |
Holland Creek
AF |
Tivy Valley
30 |
| Kite Road South
AF |
Kite Road North
30 |
AF=Above Freezing
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Mid 30s to near 40. Mid to upper 30s.
Humidity, Visalia, 55%/100% Bakersfield, 40%/80%
Actual Humidity December 26, 2017: Delano, NA, Porterville, 92%/30%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today 80% tomorrow 80%, Bakersfield: Today 80% tomorrow 90%.
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days December 26, 2017: Stratford .34, Parlier .30, Blackwell, .35 Lindcove .29, Arvin .36, Orange Cove .35, Porterville .27, Delano .NA., Madera Two .29. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 48, Parlier 48, Blackwell 50, Lindcove, 52, Arvin, 49, Orange Cove 46, Porterville 48, Delano NA, Madera Two 50
Mean Temperatures for December. Month So Far: 46.3 +1.6
Record Temperatures: 72/23. Average Temperatures: 53/35
Heating Degree Days this Season: 785, -239 Courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since October 1, 2017 Fresno: .41 season. or -2.72. Month to Date: .04
Since October 1, 2017, Bakersfield: .07, or -1.70, Month to Date: .04
Water year season is from October 1st through September.
Chilling ours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, 431, Parlier, 461, Arvin, 408, Shafter, 522, Stratford, 468, Madera two, 615, Alpaugh, NA, Lindcove, 443, Porterville, 607. Hours at 45 or below 45.
Sunrise: 7:11 am Sunset: 4:50 pm. Hours of Daylight: 9:38
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1600 / 63 / 32 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1600 / 62 / 36 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1600 / 64 / 31 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1600 / 63 / 30 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1600 / 62 / 38 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1600 / 62 / 34 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1556 / 65 / 34 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1600 / 64 / 33 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1552 / 59 / 42 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 64 / 36 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: Season % Last y. % Ave. Annual Ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 0.96 21 6.07 135 4.50 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 1.03 27 4.97 129 3.86 13.11
MERCED 0.00 1.11 34 4.19 127 3.30 12.50
MADERA 0.00 0.41 12 3.97 112 3.53 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 0.41 13 4.47 137 3.26 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 0.41 14 2.52 88 2.87 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 0.07 4 2.12 115 1.85 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 0.16 11 0.36 24 1.51 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 0.78 21 4.00 108 3.70 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 0.27 8 3.68 108 3.42 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 0.12 3 4.77 126 3.80 13.95
Next Report: Friday, December 29/pm