March 26, 2018
Summary: Skies through out the valley are mostly clear with just some scattered cumulous over the valley. Temperatures this afternoon are averaging 2 to 3 degrees cooler than yesterday at this time. The main culprit behind the rather cool conditions is a combination of an upper low over the Desert Southwest and a building ridge of high pressure just off shore. This essentially has created a north/northeast flow over California and is pumping in colder air from the Pacific Northwest and the western Great Basin. Coldest locations tonight will again approach the 32 degree mark in the coldest locations, but most locations will range in the mid 30s to near 40.
Beginning Tuesday, the aforementioned upper high off shore will begin to make its move eastward. By mid week, it will dominate the situation over the western one-fourth of the U.S. This high will spring into action, warming temperatures to near 70 as early as Tuesday afternoon and the mid to upper 70s Wednesday. Temperatures could push 80 Thursday through Saturday.
A low pressure system will move into the Pacific Northwest, clipping northern California Sunday. A few models actually show a slight chance of showers from Fresno County northward Sunday, but most models continue to go with a dry forecast. We’ll just go with partly cloudy skies with somewhat cooler weather later next week.
Otherwise, dry weather will prevail this week and probably next week, also, with above average temperatures.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Saturday. Partly cloudy Saturday night through Sunday night. Becoming mostly clear Monday.
Short Term:
| Madera 35/69/42/77 | Reedley 34/70/43/77 | Dinuba 33/68/41/75 | |
| Porterville 35/70/42/76 | Lindsay 34/71/43/77 | Delano 37/71/43/77 | |
| Bakersfield 41/72/46/78 | Arvin 39/72/44/78 | Taft 44/71/49/77 | |
| Lamont 39/72/44/78 | Pixley 36/70/43/77 | Tulare 34/69/42/75 | |
| Woodlake 34/69/42/76 | Hanford 37/71/42/77 | Orosi 34/70/41/76 | |
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 12 MPH later mornings and afternoons and less than 7 MPH with periods of near calm conditions nights and early mornings through Thursday.
Rain: Expect dry weather for at least the next week to ten days.
Frost: Temperatures are actually on the average running 2 to 3 degrees lower than 24 hours ago. A north/northeast flow is maintaining a relatively cold air mass over central California. With clear skies tonight, widespread mid to upper 30s is likely with the typical river bottom and like locations possibly dipping into the lower 30s for short durations. Once we get past tonight, rapid warming will take place. Readings as early as tomorrow will hit 70 in many locations. Near 80 degree weather is possible Thursday through Saturday. Beyond Saturday, above average temperatures will continue though will lower some later next week courtesy of a fast moving system moving from west to east across northern California. The new two week model continues to lean towards above average temperatures.
Lows Tonight: All locations will be above 32.
Next report: Tuesday, March 27