March 24, 2018
Summary: Skies are generally partly cloudy over the valley this afternoon. Even though temperatures are barely 60 degrees at most locations, it’s still 2 to 4 degrees warmer than yesterday at this time. Doppler radar is also indicating there are some light showers over the Coast Range with a few over the west side of the valley, but they are isolated in nature.
In the meantime, an upper level low is currently moving into northern California. The cloud shield from this system has progressed as far as a Bay Area/Sacramento line. This system will move steadily through central California tonight and early Sunday for a chance of light showers mainly north of Kern County. By Sunday afternoon, the low will have become a trough and will be moving into Nevada and Arizona.
A brief northerly flow will develop behind this system, pumping colder air in, but nothing horribly unusual for this time of year. This flow will keep our temperatures down through Tuesday then a rapid warming trend will set up Wednesday as a relatively strong upper high starts to fill in from the west. Mid 70s are expected as early as Wednesday with warmer locations pushing 80 degrees as early as Friday and then on through the weekend. Once we get past Sunday, a very nice but dry pattern will develop with above average temperatures and no chance of precipitation for the upcoming week.
Forecast: Partly to mostly cloudy tonight with a chance of scattered light showers, mainly north of Kern County. A slight chance of light showers Sunday morning. Becoming partly cloudy Sunday afternoon. Mostly clear Sunday night and on through Saturday of next week with a warming trend beginning at mid week.
Short Term:
Madera 39/61/36/63 | Reedley 40/61/36/62 | Dinuba 38/61/35/63 | |
Porterville 40/62/36/63 | Lindsay 40/61/35/62 | Delano 42/61/37/63 | |
Bakersfield 43/61/39/62 | Arvin 43/61/.38/62 | Taft 44/60/40/62 | |
Lamont 43/61/37/62 | Pixley 40/61/36/61 | Tulare 38/61/35/63 | |
Woodlake 39/61/36/63 | Hanford 41/61/36/63 | Orosi 39/61/35/62 |
Winds: Winds will be mainly out of the northwest through Sunday at 5 to 15 MPH, diminishing Sunday night with winds of generally less than 12 MPH Monday through Wednesday with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: As of the time of this writing, there were a few light showers over the Coast Range and even isolated light showers here and there over the west side of the valley. A low pressure system currently moving through northern California will move through central California later tonight and Sunday. Latest models continue to indicate this system will be devoid of moisture. Even so, storm dynamics may squeeze some scattered light showers over the area later tonight and Sunday. I wouldn’t anticipate anything more than .10 where it does rain with most locations remaining dry.
From mid morning Sunday, conditions will be dry, followed by a dry week ahead.
Frost: All locations will be above 32 degrees tonight. Coming up on Monday and Tuesday mornings, mid to upper 30s will be the case in those areas with clear skies and have calm winds with slight chances of low 30s in those low lying frost pockets. This is not a major threat, but more of a typical spring cold air mass. A rapid warming trend will begin Wednesday for above freezing conditions which will last through the week and probably through next week as well.
Lows Tonight: All locations will be above 32.
Next report: Sunday, March 25