January 11, 2018
Summary: There is either a low cloud deck or dense fog in the valley this morning. Porterville and Bakersfield are each reporting an overcast at near 4,000 feet while Visalia is reporting ¼ mile visibility and ½ mile at both Hanford and Fresno. Essentially, the dense fog is forming where a pocket of relatively clear skies opened up. This will be the challenge over the next couple of days…fog and/or low clouds and the effect on temperatures.
Upper level high pressure is now centered west of Baja and will build a ridge northward into northern California through Monday night. the high will begin to flatten out Tuesday as waves of low pressure move through the Pacific Northwest and northern California. These systems will remain north of the valley, however on Thursday models show the high buckling, allowing a fairly strong storm system to move in from the west. The chance of rain Thursday appears relatively high.
Beyond that, the two week model is still calling for relatively decent chances of precipitation down the road, so it looks like we will have more opportunities for valley rain and mountain snow in another week and a half to two weeks.
Forecast: Partly to mostly cloudy through Friday with areas of night and morning fog. Fog and/or low clouds nights and mornings Saturday through Monday with afternoon clearing in at least some areas. Mostly cloudy Monday night through Wednesday with patchy night and morning fog. Increasing cloudiness Wednesday night with a chance of rain Thursday, especially during the afternoon.
Short Term:
| Madera 58/45/59/43/60 | Reedley 58/46/59/45/61 | Dinuba 59/46/59/45/62 | |
| Porterville 59/44/59/44/62 | Lindsay 60/45/59/43/62 | Delano 59/46/59/44/62 | |
| Bakersfield 60/46/61/46/65 | Arvin 60/45/61/43/65 | Taft 61/48/61/46/66 | |
| Lamont 59/45/59/45/64 | Pixley 58/46/60/44/64 | Tulare 58/44/59/44/62 | |
| Woodlake 59/45/59/44/62 | Hanford 60/46/59/44/62 | Orosi 58/45/59/44/61 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Sunday
AM fog/PM sun 44/64 |
Monday
AM fog/PM sun 44/66 |
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy 46/67 |
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy 49/68 |
Thursday
Chance of rain 50/64 |
Two Week Outlook: January 18 through January 24: This model shows the storm track potentially moving into California from the Gulf of Alaska. At this point, it looks like temperatures will be below average with a reasonable chance of rain.
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.
Rain: Expect dry conditions through at least Wednesday. High pressure is projected to buckle Thursday allowing a mild weather system to move in from the west. This would result in a reasonably good chance of rain. Beyond Thursday, models do show a favorable pattern setting up for more possible activity next weekend. Even the two week model is indicating a decent chance of rain.
Frost: All locations will be above freezing for the next seven to ten days and possibly longer.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Mid to upper 40s. Mid to upper 40s
Humidity, Visalia, 75%/100% Bakersfield, 65%/95%
Actual Humidity January 9, 2018: Delano, NA, Porterville, 53%/95%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today 10% tomorrow 20%, Bakersfield: Today 0% tomorrow 20%.
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days January 9, 2018: Stratford .24, Parlier .23, Blackwell, .30 Lindcove .28, Arvin .37, Orange Cove .28, Porterville .23, Delano .NA., Madera Two 19. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 53, Parlier 56, Blackwell 56, Lindcove, 56, Arvin, 56, Orange Cove 52, Porterville 55, Delano NA, Madera Two 54
7.2
Record Temperatures: 68/18. Average Temperatures: 54/35
Heating Degree Days this Season: 953, -368 Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperatures for January so far, 55.2 +11.2
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since October 1, 2017 Fresno: 1.23 season. or -2.88. Month to Date: .48
Since October 1, 2017, Bakersfield: .88, or -1.41, Month to Date: .82
Water year season is from October 1st through September.
Chilling ours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, 525, Parlier, 560, Arvin, 497, Shafter, 627, Stratford, 568, Madera two, 784, Alpaugh, NA, Lindcove, 546, Porterville, 728. Hours at 45 or below 45.
Sunrise: 7:11 am Sunset: 5:03 pm. Hours of Daylight: 9:51
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1600 / 58 / 51 / T /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1600 / 60 / 50 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1600 / 62 / 52 / T /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1600 / 60 / 52 / T /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1600 / 58 / 54 / 0.01 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1600 / 62 / 48 / T /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1546 / 60 / 47 / 0.01 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1600 / 59 / 50 / 0.03 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1600 / M / M / M /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 60 / 51 / M /
Rainfall: Season % Last y. % Ave. Annual Ave.
STOCKTON 0.66 3.47 63 8.82 161 5.48 14.06
MADERA T 1.31 27 6.06 127 4.78 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 1.23 29 7.22 172 4.19 11.50
HANFORD T 1.68 41 4.47 110 4.07 10.10
BAKERSFIELD T 0.88 38 3.96 170 2.33 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 0.20 10 3.71 183 2.03 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 2.13 45 7.29 155 4.71 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 2.16 48 7.02 155 4.53 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 1.95 40 7.77 159 4.90 13.95
MERCED 0.49 1.98 44 7.43 167 4.46 12.50
Next Report: Thursday, January 11/pm