March 23, 2018
Summary: There still is a considerable amount of upslope clouds which are developing along the Sierra Nevada foothills and the north facing slopes of the Tehachapis. Much of the east side is still overcast as are portions of Kern County. A northwest flow at the surface is creating these upslope clouds. They will diminish overnight, eventually dissipating.
The freezing level yesterday evening was about 8,300 feet. This afternoon, it has rocketed down to 4,300 feet. A colder northwesterly flow aloft is the cause.
Now we turn to the weekend’s weather. Low pressure off the Oregon coast is beginning to move southeastward. Clouds are increasing over northern California with showers beginning to show up, mainly over the northwest mountains of California. The low will begin to turn into a trough and move southward into central California Saturday through Sunday. The dynamics of this system will be quite weak this far south, so there’s only a chance of light showers with only a slight chance in the south valley. The pool of air behind this system is quite cold and will eventually lead to lows in the mid to upper 30s Monday and Tuesday mornings with low 30s possible in the coldest low lying spots.
Wednesday is turn around day. Strong upper level high pressure will begin to build over the eastern Pacific and the western United States. It still looks like warmer locations could hit the 80 degree mark Friday. Medium range models continue to point to a dry, warm pattern next week and at least through part of the following week.
Forecast: Partly cloudy tonight. Mostly cloudy Saturday through Sunday night with a chance of light showers from Fresno County northward and a slight chance further south later Saturday through Sunday. Partly cloudy Sunday night and Monday. Mostly clear Monday night through Friday with a warming trend.
Short Term:
| Madera 38/63/37/62 | Reedley 39/63/38/62 | Dinuba 38/62/36/61 | |
| Porterville 40/64/37/61 | Lindsay 38/62/36/62 | Delano 43/64/38/61 | |
| Bakersfield 45/65/43/60 | Arvin 43/64/42/61 | Taft 45/65/43/62 | |
| Lamont 42/64/41/61 | Pixley 39/62/37/62 | Tulare 39/62/37/61 | |
| Woodlake 40/63/37/61 | Hanford 40/63/38/62 | Orosi 39/62/36/61 | |
Winds: Winds will be mainly out of the northwest at 5 to 12 MPH at times through Saturday morning. Winds will increase to around 10 to 15 MPH Saturday afternoon through Sunday night. Winds will still be out of the northwest Monday at around 5 to 15 MPH.
Rain: A minor rain threat will begin Saturday as low pressure off the Pacific Northwest opens up into a trough and moves into northern and central California. By the time the trough moves this far south, the dynamics will be weak so just light showers are expected, mainly from Fresno County northward both Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, a weak low will slide southward just to the east of the Sierra Nevada, but no rain is expected on the valley floor. Conditions for Monday night and beyond look dry as high pressure off shore finally begins to bulge inland at mid week. This will maintain dry weather through the week and into next weekend and, if models hold, possibly all of next week as well.
Frost: Freezing levels have plummeted down to around 4,500 feet which is more than a 4,000 foot drop from 24 hours ago. A northwest flow aloft moved in behind the wild cold front that went through yesterday afternoon. There is a cold low off the coast of the Pacific Northwest which will open up into a trough this weekend, extending southward into central California. There will also be a weak wave of low pressure move through Monday, but there won’t be any rain associated with it. It will, though, reinforce the cold air already in place. Assuming skies clear Monday and Tuesday mornings, mid to upper 30s will be widespread with a chance of low 30s in the cold spots. By Wednesday, rapid modification will be occurring under building high pressure with above freezing conditions from mid week through as far as the eye can see, at this point.
Lows Tonight: All locations will be above 32.
Next report: Saturday, March 24