March 8, 2018
Summary: Abundant sunshine this afternoon along with upper level high pressure over central California and into the Great Basin are driving temperatures well into the 70s. Satellite imagery indicates the high clouds streaming in from the Pacific Ocean have temporarily ended. A weak low pressure system will move inland Friday somewhere near the Bay Area. This is a small system, so I doubt precipitation will affect central California.
That will all begin to change Friday night and Saturday as the subtropical system we’ve been talking about begins to spread rain in from the west/southwest. That flow will continue at times through Saturday night, with showers continuing Sunday through Sunday evening. Models still indicate energy embedded within a westerly flow aloft will move in Monday and Tuesday. Theoretically, that would give a chance of light showers to our area, however most locations will remain dry.
A deeper and much colder trough of low pressure will dig southward from the eastern Gulf of Alaska later Tuesday. Most of the indicators this afternoon depict this as a possibly wet system for potentially significant rain for the valley and heavy snow for the mountains.
A very unsettled pattern will continue Thursday through next weekend. It’s possible each day could be dry or could enjoy the benefits of periodic rain. The two week outlook out this afternoon is showing a strong signature of well below average temperatures and a high risk of precipitation.
Forecast: Mostly clear tonight through Friday with occasional periods of high clouds. Increasing cloudiness Friday afternoon. Mostly cloudy Friday night with a chance of showers. Periods of rain Saturday through Saturday night. Widespread shower activity Sunday through Sunday evening. Mostly to partly cloudy later Sunday night through Monday morning. Becoming partly cloudy Monday afternoon through Tuesday. Increasing cloudiness Tuesday night with rain spreading over the area again Wednesday and periods of rain Wednesday night through Thursday.
Short Term:
| Madera 42/73/49/66 | Reedley 43/72/49/67 | Dinuba 39/71/46/67 | |
| Porterville 40/74/49/68 | Lindsay 40/74/48/68 | Delano 43/74/50/69 | |
| Bakersfield 48/75/53/70 | Arvin 43/75/49/69 | Taft 52/74/53/70 | |
| Lamont 43/75/48/69 | Pixley 39/73/49/67 | Tulare 40/73/50/67 | |
| Woodlake 41/73/49/67 | Hanford 42/74/48/67 | Orosi 39/72/48/66 | |
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 12 MPH through Sunday with periods of near calm conditions, mainly during the night and morning hours.
Rain: Expect dry weather to continue through Friday and possibly even Friday night. Saturday, we’ll look to our west/southwest as a subtropical low moves into southern and central California. Rain will continue Saturday night, turning more showery Sunday through Sunday evening. With some luck, the east side of the valley could pick up a quarter to a half an inch from this storm. Along the west side, I anticipate a quarter to a third of an inch and possibly as much as a quarter inch in Kern County. The rain will finally end Sunday night with the storm track advancing a bit further north Monday through Tuesday for dry weather.
Medium range models are still indicating a strong storm system will be off the northern California coast Wednesday, possibly sliding slowly southward Thursday through Friday. Not only could this be a significant rain event, but it could also be accompanied by strong, gusty winds. On paper, Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night looks like a windy period in Kern County and along the west side.
Frost: All locations will be above freezing tonight and each night for the foreseeable future.
Lows Tonight:
All locations will be above 32 tonight.
Next report: Friday, March 9