January 21, 2018
Frost Summary: The cloud shield ahead of a cold front currently moving into northern California has now advanced down to a Monterey/Merced line. These clouds will increase over the remainder of the valley as the night wears on. This will greatly slow the radiational cooling process, especially late tonight as the clouds thicken up. Models this afternoon are still indicating there’s just a small chance of light showers from Fresno County northward late tonight and Monday morning. Most locations will be above freezing tonight, however I’m going to forecast a few locations, mainly in the south valley, near to slightly below freezing as the cloud cover may be too thin initially to completely halt the cooling process. All in all, however, it appears most locations will chill into the mid 30s to the lower 40s.
The front is a fast mover so some clearing can be expected Monday afternoon with dry weather Monday afternoon through Wednesday as a weak upper high quickly moves in from the west. The next Pacific storm will approach from the northwest Wednesday night, spreading precipitation all the way down the valley. Models this afternoon are also pointing to this system not packing as much of a punch, however locations north of Kern County, and especially along the east side, could pick up a quarter to a third of an inch with lesser amounts in Kern County.
Periods of rain will continue Thursday with a chance of showers for a time Thursday evening. Dry weather will begin Thursday night as a colder air mass swings southeastward behind the front. It looks like cloud cover will keep temperatures in the mid to upper 30s Friday morning, but that won’t be the case Saturday and Sunday when lows could dip into the low to mid 30s with a few colder spots in the upper 20s.
As a persistent ridge of upper level high pressure builds along the Pacific coast, a new warm air inversion will develop above the valley floor for increasing fog and low clouds. This will only increase each day and they may take over. As far as any sub freezing weather goes, I don’t see anything for now as the flow aloft will be generally out of the west to northwest.
Forecast: Increasing cloudiness tonight. A chance of light showers from mainly Fresno County north later tonight and Monday morning. Partly to mostly cloudy Monday afternoon. Becoming mostly clear to partly cloudy Monday night and Tuesday morning. Mostly clear Tuesday night and Wednesday morning with patchy night and morning fog. Increasing cloudiness Wednesday with periods of rain becoming likely Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Mostly cloudy Thursday afternoon and evening with a chance of showers. Partly to mostly cloudy Thursday night and Friday morning. Lingering clouds in the southern and eastern portions of the valley Friday night and Saturday morning, mostly clear Saturday afternoon through Sunday with increasing fog and low clouds Sunday morning.
Lows Tonight:
| Terra Bella
32 |
Porterville
AF |
Ivanhoe
AF |
Woodlake
AF |
| Strathmore
32 |
McFarland
32 |
Ducor
AF |
Tea Pot Dome
AF |
| Lindsay
31 |
Exeter
32 |
Famoso
AF |
Madera
AF |
| Belridge
32 |
Delano
AF |
North Bakersfield
32 |
Orosi
32 |
| Orange Cove
AF |
Lindcove
AF |
Lindcove Hillside
AF |
Sanger River Bottom
30 |
| Root Creek
AF |
Venice Hill
AF |
Rosedale
32 |
Jasmine
AF |
| Arvin
32 |
Lamont
31 |
Plainview
AF |
Mettler
AF |
| Edison
AF |
Maricopa
AF |
Holland Creek
AF |
Tivy Valley
31 |
| Kite Road South
AF |
Kite Road North
30 |
AF=Above Freezing
Next Report: Monday morning/January 22