January 2, 2018
Summary: Temperatures are running 2 to 4 degrees cooler than 24 hours ago. This is due to the density of the mid and high level cloud decks which continue to stream over central California. A gap between the current cloud deck and another wide expanse of subtropical cloudiness off the southern and central California coast will mean at least partial clearing tonight. This could possibly cause temperatures at a few locations to dip into the lower 30s.
A low pressure system located about five hundred miles west of the central coast will move east/northeast into northern California Wednesday night and Thursday. Satellite imagery indicates this system is weak and fragmented, so what precipitation does fall over the valley will be very light with possibly no rain at all in Kern County.
Thursday night and Friday will be dry. The next subtropical low will begin to approach the coast Saturday. On paper, it too appears to be weak, so what if any precipitation does occur will again be light with very high snow levels.
The pattern for next week may have the opportunity for precipitation from time to time. A trough of low pressure will be off the west coast, welcoming any storms that are out there in the Pacific and move inland. Timing of these systems is quite precarious as they develop over the Pacific Ocean, but by and large the chance for rain from time to time will be there.
Forecast: Variable mid and high level clouds tonight and Wednesday morning. Increasing cloudiness Wednesday afternoon leading to a chance of light showers, mainly north of Kern County. Partly cloudy Thursday night and Friday. variable cloudiness Friday night through Sunday with at least a chance of light showers. Partly cloudy Sunday night and Monday. Increasing cloudiness Monday night with a chance of showers Tuesday.
Short Term:
Madera 34/65/41/67 | Reedley 34/66/41/68 | Dinuba 33/65/40/68 | |
Porterville 34/67/39/69 | Lindsay 33/66/39/67 | Delano 35/67/40/70 | |
Bakersfield 40/68/44/70 | Arvin 36/69/40/70 | Taft 44/68/46/71 | |
Lamont 35/68/39/71 | Pixley 34/67/41/69 | Tulare 33/66/38/67 | |
Woodlake 34/66/40/70 | Hanford 34/66/41/68 | Orosi 34/65/39/67 |
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 10 MPH through Friday with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: As a subtropical low moves into northern California Wednesday night and Thursday, there will be a chance of light showers, mainly north of Kern County. Satellite imagery shows a rather pathetic looking storm still well off shore, so it’s possible some locations in the south valley may remain dry. Thursday night and Friday will be dry, but a new subtropical low will move inland over the weekend for a chance of mainly light showers over the area. But again, the dynamics of this system look quite weak, so only light amounts are expected.
There will be an opportunity for precipitation from time to time next week as a trough of low pressure remains over and off the west coast. The timing of potential precipitation varies from model to model, but at least the storm door will be open to whatever develops over the Pacific.
Frost Information: A good deal of mid and high level clouds continue to stream over the valley from the southwest this afternoon. There is a gap between the current cloud cover and another large batch of subtropical cloudiness which will approach the central and southern California coast later tonight. It’s possible that when this gap moves on shore, temperatures could theoretically approach the 32 degree mark, but my feeling is the next batch of cloud cover will begin to stream overhead later tonight, maintaining above freezing conditions. Again, lower 30s are possible in riverbottom and like locations.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the week, temperatures will remain above freezing each day with an active weather pattern next week. There’s really no day that we should have to deal with frost. Longer range models show a good chance of above average precipitation and above average temperatures, maintaining frost free conditions.
Lows Tonight:
All locations will be above freezing tonight.
Next Report: Wednesday morning, January 3