May 4, 2018
Summary: Warmest locations this afternoon will be at or near the 90 degree mark. Upper level high pressure continues to build overhead. The freezing has jumped from 9,400 feet yesterday to 12,900 feet as of the overnight hours. The marine layer along the coast has also been squashed. The latest reading at the naval facility at Fort Ord showed a depth of 1,100 feet.
May is a month when we typically see up and down swings in temperatures and this month will be no exception, although temperatures will remain above average probably through all of next week. A weak low will move into Oregon and northwest California Saturday night and Sunday, possibly allowing a shallow intrusion of marine air into the valley. The result would be to back temperatures off a bit Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Upper level high pressure will rebound Monday night through Tuesday night before a stronger trough moves into the Pacific Northwest about Wednesday and Thursday of next week. This should bring temperatures back down into the low to mid 80s, but any precipitation will remain well to the north.
There is some indication of a deeper trough of low pressure moving through California about the 12th or 13th, but for now this also looks to be a dry passage. It could, though, bring temperatures down to seasonal averages or just a bit below. Nothing in the medium range models indicate any chance of precipitation on the horizon.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Monday with some high clouds at times. Mostly clear skies will continue Monday night through Friday with some occasional high clouds.
Short Term:
Madera 88/55/90/56/86 | Reedley 89/56/90/56/87 | Dinuba 88/55/90/56/86 | |
Porterville 90/54/91/55/87 | Lindsay 90/54/91/55/87 | Delano 91/58/92/59/88 | |
Bakersfield 91/62/92/63/87 | Arvin 92/59/93/60/87 | Taft 90/66/91/67/86 | |
Lamont 91/60/92/61/87 | Pixley 89/56/91/57/86 | Tulare 88/55/89/55/85 | |
Woodlake 90/55/91/55/86 | Hanford 91/55/92/56/87 | Orosi 90/55/91/56/87 |
Seven Day Forecast:
Monday
Mostly clear 54/83 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 56/89 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 55/86 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 54/83 |
Friday
Mostly clear 55/88 |
Two Week Outlook: May 11 through May 17: 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 Monday. 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: Mid to upper 40s. Kern: Mid to upper 40s.
Humidity: Visalia: 20%/85% Bakersfield: 20%/60%
Actual Humidity May 2, 2018: Delano, 86%/33%, Porterville, 89%/31%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100% tomorrow 80% Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 80%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days May 2, 2018: Stratford 1.56, Parlier 1.39, Blackwell 1.56 Lindcove 1.24, Arvin 1.30, Orange Cove 1.40, Porterville 1.22, Delano 1.37, Madera Two 1.38. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 65, Parlier 66, Blackwell 71, Lindcove, 66, Arvin, 71, Orange Cove 59, Porterville 69, Delano 72, Madera Two 69
Record Temperatures: 99/38. Average Temperatures: 80/50
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 69 +28 Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperatures for May so far, 61.3 -3.8
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since October 1, 2017 Fresno: 6.73 season. or -3.99. Month to Date: .00
Since October 1, 2017, Bakersfield: 3.93, or -2.18. 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: 6:02 am Sunset: 7:50 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:47
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 82 / 49 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 83 / 56 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 85 / 52 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 84 / 50 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 85 / 56 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 83 / 51 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / M / M /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 84 / 49 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DHM / M / M / M /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 80 / 56 / 0.00 /
Rainfall
STOCKTON 0.00 9.09 69 21.68 164 13.22 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 8.00 66 16.78 138 12.16 13.11
MERCED 0.00 6.91 60 15.79 136 11.58 12.50
MADERA 0.00 7.22 65 14.17 127 11.14 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 6.73 63 17.08 159 10.74 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 4.70 50 10.65 114 9.38 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 3.93 64 7.76 127 6.12 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 1.22 28 8.81 203 4.33 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 7.13 58 16.36 134 12.24 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 9.62 79 15.96 131 12.21 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 6.01 45 18.10 134 13.47 13.95
Next report: Saturday, May 5