March 25, 2018
Summary: A cold trough of low pressure is currently moving through with very little fanfare. The air aloft is quite chilly, especially over northern California where the freezing level over Oakland is all the way down to 3,800 feet. Down the coast at Vandenberg, the freezing level stands at 5,600 feet. Assuming skies tonight remain relatively clear, widespread mid to upper 30s can be expected with a small chance of a few low lying locations dipping into the lower 30s. once this trough moves through today and tonight, strong upper level high pressure will slowly build eastward from the Pacific and will dominate the western ¼ of the U.S. through the coming week.
It will be marginally warmer Tuesday but as the high really begins to firm up Wednesday and beyond, temperatures will initially bump up into the 70s with near 80 degree temperatures Friday through Sunday, possibly in the lower 80s in the very warmest locations. A week from today, the high will flatten out somewhat as a trough carves itself out over the interior west. The only impact on central California will be somewhat cooler temperatures by Monday and Tuesday of next week. However, readings will still be above seasonal averages.
The two week model out this morning is still indicating a high probability of dry weather with above average temperatures stretching from California through the Desert Southwest.
Forecast: Mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy through this evening. Mostly clear tonight, however up slope clouds could remain over portions of Kern and Tulare Counties. Mostly clear Monday afternoon and all the way through Sunday of next week with a warming trend.
Short Term:
| Madera 60/35/64/36/69 | Reedley 62/35/64/37/70 | Dinuba 61/34/63/35/69 | |
| Porterville 62/35/64/36/70 | Lindsay 61/34/64/36/70 | Delano 61/37/64/38/71 | |
| Bakersfield 60/40/64/43/71 | Arvin 60/37/64/38/72 | Taft 61/41/65/43/72 | |
| Lamont 61/38/64/39/71 | Pixley 60/35/64/37/70 | Tulare 60/34/62/36/69 | |
| Woodlake 61/34/64/36/71 | Hanford 61/35/64/37/70 | Orosi 62/34/64/36/70 | |
Winds: Winds will be out of the northwest at 10 to 15 MPH through this evening with local gusts to 25 MPH possible, mainly along the west side. Winds tonight will decrease to 5 to 10 MPH. winds Monday through Wednesday will be generally less than 12 MPH late mornings and afternoons and 5 MPH nights and early mornings with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: Expect dry weather this week and quite possibly through next week, as well.
Frost: Assuming skies are relatively clear tonight, widespread mid to upper 30s are anticipated, especially north of Kern County. It’s possible that upslope clouds may develop in Kern County and southeastern Tulare County, lasting through Monday morning. Any location with cloud cover tonight will see upper 30s and lower 40s. where it remains clear, there is a small chance of river bottom and like locations dipping into the lower 30s. Tuesday morning also looks chilly with mid to upper 30s again and a slight chance of lower 30s in those low lying areas. From Wednesday and beyond, expect above freezing conditions for the foreseeable future.
Lows Tonight: All locations will be above 32.
Next report: Monday, March 26