August 14, 2018
Summary: There are two high centers: one is over the Desert Southwest and the other off the southern California coast. A weak trough is off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. The marine layer along the coast has marginally deepened during the past 24 hours and currently is showing a depth of 1,800 feet. There is some sea breeze moving through the Delta as winds at Travis Air Force Base are out of the southwest at 17, gusting to 25. However, there is not enough difference in pressure to tug that modified sea breeze all the way down the valley. The high is slightly weaker, but even so readings at the warmer locations this afternoon will again be around the century mark. the flow aloft is out of the south and is carrying a limited amount of mid and high level moisture and resulting in some mid and high clouds over the valley with a chance of isolated thunderstorms over the high Sierra.
The winds aloft by late Wednesday will be out of the west as that trough off the coast of the Pacific Northwest moves inland. A new high will begin to develop Thursday over the southwest and, like what has happened so often this summer, will expand over California for the next heat wave, especially once we get into the Friday through Monday period. That’s when readings will likely be in the 103 to 107 degree range.
In the medium term, it does not appear the monsoon will be a factor as winds at the mid and upper levels of the atmosphere will be out of the west or southwest. The medium range outlook for next week continues to place upper level high pressure over the west with triple digit readings continuing. There could possibly be some relief, not this weekend but the following one, as some models are suggesting a trough moving through the Pacific Northwest and northern California.
Forecast: Other than occasional cloudiness today, it will be mostly clear through Saturday and continued hot. hot weather along with mostly clear skies will continue Saturday night through Tuesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 99/63/100/64/102 | Reedley 100/62/101/64/101 | Dinuba 99/62/100/64/101 | |
| Porterville 100/63/101/65/101 | Lindsay 99/63/101/65/101 | Delano 100/66/101/68/102 | |
| Bakersfield 101/72/102/75/103 | Arvin 101/70/102/72/103 | Taft 99/77/102/78/103 | |
| Lamont 101/71/102/73/103 | Pixley 99/63/101/65/102 | Tulare 99/62/100/64/101 | |
| Woodlake 99/63/101/65/102 | Hanford 100/63/101/66/102 | Orosi 99/63/100/65/101 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Friday
Mostly clear 67/103 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 69/104 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 70/105 |
Monday
Mostly clear 70/106 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 69/103 |
Two Week Outlook: August 19 through August 25: This model indicates upper level high pressure will again dominate the southwest and California, moving temperatures above average once again. Mostly clear skies will prevail as this model indicates the monsoon will move into Arizona and New Mexico, leaving California dry.
August: If you were hoping for relief from this relentlessly hot summer, this model does not show a pattern that would give you that relief. In fact, upper level high pressure which has been so persistent this summer is the dominant feature, resulting in above average temperatures. Also, the monsoon may be more active than in most summers, so occasional thunderstorms will be possible over the Sierra Nevada and possibly occasional periods of partly cloudy skies over the valley floor. Otherwise, the usual generally dry weather will continue.
August, September, October: Upper level high pressure will continue to be pretty dominant over the next three months with occasional bouts of monsoonal moisture affecting the Sierra Nevada through about mid September. Overall, temperatures will remain generally above seasonal averages with generally below average precipitation.
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 15 MPH and mainly out of the northwest afternoons and evenings through Friday.
Rain: Expect dry conditions indefinitely.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 50s. Kern: Upper 40s to the lower 50s.
Humidity: Visalia: 20%/75% Bakersfield: 15%/50%
Actual Humidity August 13, 2018: Delano, 62%/17%, Porterville, 65%/17%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 90% tomorrow 100% Bakersfield: Today: 90% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.72, Parlier 1.78, Blackwell 2.28, Lindcove 1.78, Arvin 2.16, Orange Cove 1.94, Porterville 1.75, Delano 1.81, Madera Two NA. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 75, Parlier 80, Blackwell 86, Lindcove, 79, Arvin, NA, Orange Cove 81, Porterville 85, Delano 81, Madera Two, NA
Record Temperatures: 112/54. Average Temperatures: 98/65
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 1478 +375. Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperatures for August so far, 84.4 +3.2
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since Oct 1, 2017 Fresno: 6.73 season. or -4.59. Month to Date: .00
Since Oct 1, 2017, Bakersfield: 3.93, or -2.40. Month to Date: .00
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: 6:16 am Sunset: 7:50 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:37
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 99 / 62 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 101 / 70 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 101 / 64 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 101 / 63 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 101 / 74 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 99 / 63 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / M / M /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 99 / 65 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1649 / 100 / 76 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 97 / 65 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: Water year Oct 1st through September 30th
Year % Last Y. % Ave. Annual ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 9.22 67 21.78 158 13.76 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 8.17 64 16.93 132 12.84 13.11
MERCED 0.00 7.06 58 16.03 131 12.20 12.50
MADERA 0.00 7.22 61 14.18 121 11.75 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 6.73 59 17.20 152 11.32 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 4.70 47 11.05 112 9.91 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 3.95 62 7.82 123 6.36 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 3.02 62 9.18 187 4.90 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 7.16 57 16.45 130 12.65 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 9.62 77 16.14 129 12.48 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 6.01 44 18.44 134 13.79 13.95
Next report: August 1