May 8, 2018
Summary: Today will be the warmest we will see for a while. Upper level high pressure is reaching its pinnacle. Low to mid 90s are likely throughout the valley this afternoon. There is a low pressure system approaching the coast of the Pacific Northwest. This system will take an interesting path as it eventually moves into western Canada then drops southward into the Pacific Northwest. By Friday night or Saturday, the low should be centered somewhere near northeast Nevada. The counterclockwise flow around this system will create a northerly flow over California for considerably cooler temperatures. With colder air aloft, thunderstorms should begin to pop up over the Sierra just about any day from Friday through early next week.
Speaking of next week, models indicate just a weak trough of low pressure will linger over the Great Basin which should maintain temperatures near to marginally above average. Average this time of year is generally in the low 80s.
There’s nothing to write home about as far as our longer term forecast is concerned. In fact, the two week model is indicating above to possibly well above temperatures and little, if any, chance of precipitation.
Forecast: Mostly clear with occasional high clouds today. Mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy tonight and Wednesday. Mostly clear Wednesday night through Tuesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 91/56/87/54/86 | Reedley 92/57/89/54/86 | Dinuba 91/57/88/54/86 | |
| Porterville 93/57/88/53/85 | Lindsay 93/56/89/53/85 | Delano 92/58/87/54/87 | |
| Bakersfield 93/63/89/60/85 | Arvin 94/60/89/58/87 | Taft 92/67/88/63/86 | |
| Lamont 93/60/88/58/87 | Pixley 92/57/89/58/86 | Tulare 91/54/89/53/85 | |
| Woodlake 91/57/88/54/87 | Hanford 93/57/89/54/86 | Orosi 92/56/89/55/87 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Friday
Mostly clear 56/84 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 54/83 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 55/85 |
Monday
Mostly clear 55/84 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 53/83 |
Two Week Outlook: May 15 through May 21: This model indicates a strong ridge of upper level high pressure will be over the eastern Pacific Ocean and California. This should result in well above average temperatures with 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 today, mainly out of the northwest this afternoon. Winds tonight will be generally light. Winds Wednesday through Friday will periodically be out of the northwest at 10 to 20 MPH with locally stronger gusts, mainly along the west side.
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: 15/85 Bakersfield: 15/60
Actual Humidity May 6, 2018: Delano, 85%/34%, Porterville, 83%/34%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 90% tomorrow 70% Bakersfield: Today: 90% Tomorrow: 80%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days May 6, 2018: Stratford 1.60, Parlier 1.40, Blackwell 1.60 Lindcove 1.32, Arvin 1.39, Orange Cove 1.44, Porterville 1.32, Delano 1.36, Madera Two 1.45. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 67, Parlier 68, Blackwell 73, Lindcove, 68, Arvin, 74, Orange Cove 60, Porterville 73, Delano 73, Madera Two NA
Record Temperatures: 103/36. Average Temperatures: 82/51
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 96 +43 Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperatures for May so far, 68.2 +2.5
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since October 1, 2017 Fresno: 6.73 season. or -4.06. Month to Date: .00
Since October 1, 2017, Bakersfield: 3.93, or -2.21. 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: 5:58 am Sunset: 7:54 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:57
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 88 / 51 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 89 / 58 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 89 / 56 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 89 / 51 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 88 / 60 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 87 / 52 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1656 / 85 / 55 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 87 / 53 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1655 / 85 / 62 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 85 / M / 0.00 /
Rainfall
STOCKTON 0.00 9.09 68 21.68 163 13.30 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 8.00 65 16.79 137 12.26 13.11
MERCED 0.00 6.91 59 15.79 135 11.69 12.50
MADERA 0.00 7.22 64 14.17 126 11.23 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 6.73 62 17.20 159 10.81 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 4.70 50 11.04 117 9.45 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 3.93 64 7.81 127 6.15 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 1.22 28 8.93 205 4.35 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 7.13 58 16.36 133 12.30 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 9.62 78 16.14 132 12.26 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 6.01 44 18.44 136 13.53 13.95
Next report: Wednesday, May 9