March 9, 2018
Summary: The large mass of subtropical moisture we have been tracking the past few days is beginning to move on shore. There is a low pressure system embedded within this mass which will affect us Saturday and Saturday night, especially from Saturday afternoon. The fact that this is a subtropical air mass, which typically holds a lot of water, leads me to believe this could be a significant rain maker. The rain will turn to showers later Sunday evening and end Sunday night. It still appears that we will have a narrow window of opportunity for dry weather Sunday night through Tuesday morning as a very temporary ridge builds in from the west.
A low pressure system will develop off the Oregon coast Tuesday then will slide southward parallel to the northern and eventually central California coasts, causing showers and some thunderstorms to pinwheel into the region. If all goes as planned, this will be a magnificent opportunity to up rainfall totals, especially in the mountains. This storm will be a slow mover so rain on and off can be expected from Tuesday afternoon through Friday.
For now, next weekend appears dry, however the two week model is suggesting some more possible action the following week.
Forecast: The high clouds will thicken and lower during the course of the night with a chance of sprinkles or light showers after midnight. Rain Saturday and Saturday night. Showers Sunday, tapering off during the afternoon. Partly to mostly cloudy Sunday night and Monday morning. Becoming mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning. The chance of showers will increase again Tuesday morning and become likely Tuesday night and on and off through Friday.
Short Term:
| Madera 50/67/48/71` | Reedley 51/68/49/72 | Dinuba 50/67/49/72 | |
| Porterville 51/69/50/73 | Lindsay 49/69/49/73 | Delano 51/69/50/73 | |
| Bakersfield 54/70/52/75 | Arvin 51/71/52/75 | Taft 54/70/52/75 | |
| Lamont 51/69/51/75 | Pixley 51/69/50/73 | Tulare 49/67/49/71 | |
| Woodlake 50/68/50/73 | Hanford 50/69/50/73 | Orosi 49/68/49/73 | |
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 12 MPH through Monday with periods of near calm conditions, mainly during the night and morning hours.
Rain: On Saturday, we begin a week’s worth of on and off precipitation. The first storm has high potential in dumping significant amounts of rain on the valley from Saturday through Sunday with showers tapering off Sunday afternoon. Amounts of rain could run from a third to three quarters of an inch with somewhat lighter amounts over the valley portion of Kern County. Dry weather will return Sunday night and should last through Tuesday morning. The chance of rain will begin to increase again Tuesday afternoon as a much colder upper low moves slowly southward along the northern and central California coasts. Periods of rain will continue at times Tuesday night through Friday. Dry weather will return Saturday through Monday, however the two week model strongly suggests inclement weather will return during the mid to latter half of week after next.
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: Saturday, March 10