Summary: Upper level high pressure is slowly inching eastward, allowing a weak trough of low pressure off shore to begin to approach the coast. There is no active weather associated with this feature, but from time to time, we will see some mid and high level clouds through Sunday night. Once we progress into next week, another zone of high pressure, this time a rather flat one, will move in from the west, maintaining well above average temperatures, generally in the mid 70s to near 80.
The pattern will become more complex and actually quite interesting beginning Friday. A deep low pressure system will be spreading precipitation over northern California on that day and, if all goes as planned, rain will spread into central California Saturday. Models are more suggestive this morning on the possibility of an atmospheric river of air moving in from the west/southwest underneath the low. Where this river sets up will determine how much rain is eventually produced with heavy rain expected over the mountain areas and from Fresno County northward.
Following this storm, a ridge of high pressure will build over and along the west coast for several days, maintaining the trend of above average temperatures.
We will be out of the office the remainder of the Easter weekend. We can be reached by phone or email us at trudyhibler@johnhibler.com Thank you.
Forecast: Mostly clear but with periods of mid and high level clouds at times through Sunday night. Mostly clear Monday through Thursday night with periods of high clouds at times. Increasing cloudiness Friday with an increasing chance of rain Friday night and Saturday.
Short Term:
| Madera 83/51/81/48/78 | Reedley 82/51/82/48/79 | Dinuba 82/50/82/48/78 | |
| Porterville 84/50/82/48/79 | Lindsay 83/51/82/47/78 | Delano 83/54/82/52/79 | |
| Bakersfield 85/58/82/54/78 | Arvin 85/55/80/53/79 | Taft 84/60/81/57/78 | |
| Lamont 84/55/80/52/78 | Pixley 83/51/82/49/79 | Tulare 82/50/82/47/77 | |
| Woodlake 83/50/82/48/78 | Hanford 84/51/82/49/79 | Orosi 83/50/82/48/78 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Tuesday
Mostly clear 51/78 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 52/77 |
Thursday
Partly cloudy 52/79 |
Friday
PM rain possible 58/81 |
Saturday
Periods of rain 57/80 |
Two Week Outlook: April 6 through April 12: This model is suggesting a rather strong trough of low pressure with widespread precipitation will be over the Pacific Northwest and northern California. Fresno County seems to be the dividing line between wet weather to the north and dry weather to the south. Temperatures will continue to be at least marginally above average. We’ll see what trends develop.
March: Not much encouragement as far as rainfall is concerned as this model is indicating below average precipitation, especially over the second half of the month. So far, this model predicts near average temperatures.
March, April, May: The ninety-day outlook doesn’t exactly make one happy if rain is the desired outcome. It does show a better than average chance of above average temperatures, mainly due to high pressure off shore, and below average precipitation.
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 Tuesday.
Rain: Expect dry weather to continue through Thursday night and quite possible much of Friday. Rain, heavy at times, will be spreading over northern California Friday, likely reaching central California Friday night and Saturday. There are many differences on projections regarding timing and rainfall amounts. Models this morning are back to showing an atmospheric river of air building from the west/southwest underneath the storm which could lead to a significant precipitation event with very high snow levels. We will just have to watch for any possible future changes in projections and tweak the forecast as we go. This is the fifth day in a row, however, that models have pointed to the development of a warm and wet weather event for Friday and Saturday. As soon as this system exits, a big ridge is projected to build over and off the coast for several days of dry weather. However, the two week model is still suggesting a better than even chance of active weather from the seventh to the thirteenth.
Frost: All locations will be above freezing indefinitely.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Upper 40s to the lower 50s. Kern: Upper 40s to the lower 50s.
Humidity: Visalia: 30%/85% Bakersfield: 30%/75%
Actual Humidity March 29, 2018: Delano, 84%/31%, Porterville, 96%/34%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 70% tomorrow 60% Bakersfield: Today: 80% Tomorrow: 60%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days March 29, 2018: Stratford 1.15, Parlier 1.01, Blackwell 1.06 Lindcove .91, Arvin .96, Orange Cove 1.08, Porterville .95, Delano 1.04, Madera Two 1.00. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 58, Parlier 58, Blackwell 58, Lindcove, 60, Arvin, 59, Orange Cove 57, Porterville 60, Delano 60, Madera Two 57
Record Temperatures: 89/31. Average Temperatures: 70/45
Heating Degree Days this Season: 1958, -479 Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperatures for March so far, 54.8 -0.5
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since October 1, 2017 Fresno: 6.09 season. or -3.53. Month to Date: 4.19
Since October 1, 2017, Bakersfield: 3.73, or -1.78, Month to Date: 2.41
Water year season is from October 1st through September.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, Parlier, Arvin, Shafter, Stratford, Madera two, Lindcove, Porterville, Hours at 45 or below 45.
Sunrise: 6:46 am Sunset: 7:20 pm. Hours of Daylight: 12:29
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 82 / 52 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 84 / 54 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 85 / 49 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 85 / 48 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 86 / 54 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 82 / 51 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / 81 / 50 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 84 / 50 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1653 / 82 / 59 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 82 / 52 / 0.00 /
Rainfall Totals:
STOCKTON 0.00 7.37 61 19.82 164 12.12 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 5.78 52 15.30 138 11.07 13.11
MERCED 0.00 5.66 54 14.64 140 10.48 12.50
MADERA 0.00 6.51 65 13.70 136 10.06 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 6.09 63 13.66 141 9.67 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 4.41 52 9.62 113 8.49 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 3.73 67 7.41 134 5.54 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 0.82 20 7.89 195 4.04 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 5.29 47 15.52 138 11.21 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 9.42 82 15.01 131 11.44 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 5.60 45 16.92 137 12.37 13.95
Next Report: Friday, March 30/pm