May 3, 2018
Summary: The low pressure system that resulted in cool and unsettled weather over central California the past few days has moved into the Four Corners region. This is allowing upper level high pressure to rapidly expand into the western United States via the eastern Pacific Ocean. The freezing level as of yesterday evening was 9,400 feet but that will rapidly rise as the high and its bubble of warm, dry air settles in. temperatures will jump into the mid 80s today and should eclipse the 90 degree mark, at least in the warmer locations, Friday and Saturday.
A benign low pressure system will move through northern California Saturday night and Sunday. It should allow a shallow intrusion of marine air to move down the valley for a minor cooling trend. Upper level high pressure will again build in behind this system Monday through Wednesday with temperatures generally in the mid 80s to the low 90s. by Thursday, a stronger low will move inland through the Pacific Northwest but it will be much too far to the north for active weather over central California. It may create enough of an on shore flow for another minor cooling trend as marine air seeps inland.
Medium range models show the warm, dry weather pattern continuing over California as the main storm track will remain well to the north, keeping California essentially under an umbrella of upper level high pressure.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Sunday. Mostly clear skies will continue Sunday night through Thursday.
Short Term:
| Madera 84/52/89/55/91 | Reedley 85/53/90/56/90 | Dinuba 83/51/89/55/89 | |
| Porterville 85/54/90/55/91 | Lindsay 85/52/91/55/91 | Delano 85/56/91/58/91 | |
| Bakersfield 85/60/91/63/92 | Arvin 84/58/91/61/92 | Taft 84/63/91/66/91 | |
| Lamont 84/57/90/60/91 | Pixley 84/54/90/57/91 | Tulare 83/53/89/56/90 | |
| Woodlake 84/54/90/57/90 | Hanford 85/55/90/57/91 | Orosi 84/53/89/56/90 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Sunday
Mostly clear 56/85 |
Monday
Mostly clear 54/83 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 56/90 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 57/89 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 54/84 |
Two Week Outlook: May 7 through May 13: This model is redeveloping a ridge pattern over the eastern Pacific and the western U.S. This indicates we will have above average temperatures with very little, if any chance, of precipitation.
May: This model is indicating upper level high pressure will be somewhat more dominant over the Desert Southwest, stretching into the eastern Pacific Ocean. This pattern typically means generally above average temperatures and would also result in below average precipitation.
May, June, July: Now we head into the heart of summer, which is typically dry for central California. This model is indicating even drier than average conditions will prevail. Upper level high pressure will be dominant, maintaining generally above average temperatures.
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 15 MPH through Sunday. Winds during the night and morning hours will be generally less than 10 MPH with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: Expect dry conditions for at least the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 40s. Kern: Low to mid 40s.
Humidity: Visalia: 20%/90% Bakersfield: 20%/65%
Actual Humidity May 1, 2018: Delano, 76%/44%, Porterville, 92%/46%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100% tomorrow 100% Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days May 1, 2018: Stratford 1.59, Parlier 1.40, Blackwell 1.62 Lindcove 1.25, Arvin 1.32, Orange Cove 1.42, Porterville 1.27, Delano 1.39, Madera Two 1.40. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 65, Parlier 65, Blackwell 68, Lindcove, 66, Arvin, 70, Orange Cove 59, Porterville 68, Delano 72, Madera Two 69
Record Temperatures: 101/40. Average Temperatures: 80/50
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 69 +31 Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperatures for May so far, 58.0 -7.0
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since October 1, 2017 Fresno: 6.73 season. or -3.96. Month to Date: .00
Since October 1, 2017, Bakersfield: 3.93, or -2.17. Month to Date: T
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: 6:03 am Sunset: 7:49 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:45
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 78 / 46 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 78 / 52 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 79 / 50 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 79 / 47 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 78 / 54 / T /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 76 / 50 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / M / M /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 77 / 48 / T /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DHM / M / M / M /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 78 / 54 / 0.00 /
Rainfall
STOCKTON 0.00 9.09 69 21.68 164 13.20 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 8.00 66 16.78 138 12.14 13.11
MERCED 0.00 6.91 60 15.79 137 11.54 12.50
MADERA 0.00 7.22 65 14.17 128 11.11 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 6.73 63 17.08 159 10.72 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 4.70 50 10.65 114 9.36 10.10
BAKERSFIELD T 3.93 64 7.76 127 6.11 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 1.22 28 8.81 204 4.32 5.18
SALINAS T 7.13 58 16.36 134 12.23 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 9.62 79 15.96 131 12.20 12.78
SANTA MARIA T 6.01 45 18.10 135 13.45 13.95
Next report: Friday, May 4