August 16, 2018
Summary: We’ve had a minor break from the heat courtesy of a shallow burst of marine air which managed to penetrate the valley. Just about all locations were at least slightly below the century mark, so the question for today is whether the marine air will mix out before temperatures begin to rise again. The marine layer yesterday at this time was right at 2,000 feet. This morning, the depth of the marine layer has shrunk back to 1,800 feet. That’s not much of a difference, but sometimes a little bit can mean a lot.
Upper level high pressure is centered over Arizona this morning. The winds aloft are out of the south/southeast. This will move a limited amount of monsoon moisture through the deserts and mountains of southern California and the Sierra Nevada for one more day. Over the weekend, the high will begin to be centered right over California. The high’s position will turn the winds aloft west to east, moving the monsoon to the east, as well and ensuring clear skies with a return to hot weather. Readings, beginning Friday, will generally range between 100 and 105 through possibly the middle of next week. In one way, shape, or form, models show high pressure continuing to meander over the west with temperatures remaining somewhat above average and with generally clear skies.
Forecast: Mostly clear today. Mostly clear with occasional cloudiness tonight. Mostly clear skies Friday through Sunday and hot. mostly clear and hot Sunday night through Thursday.
Short Term:
| Madera 98/65/100/66/102 | Reedley 99/66/101/67/102 | Dinuba 98/64/100/66/101 | |
| Porterville 99/66/101/67/103 | Lindsay 99/65/101/67/102 | Delano 100/68/102/69/103 | |
| Bakersfield 99/74/102/77/103 | Arvin 100/72/102/76/103 | Taft 99/77/101/78/102 | |
| Lamont 100/73/102/75/103 | Pixley 99/65/101/67/102 | Tulare 98/64/100/66/101 | |
| Woodlake 99/65/100/68/102 | Hanford 100/65/101/68/103 | Orosi 99/64/101/66/102 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Sunday
Mostly clear 67/103 |
Monday
Mostly clear 66/103 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 65/101 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 65/101 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 66/102 |
Two Week Outlook: August 22 through August 28: 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 Sunday.
Rain: Expect dry conditions indefinitely.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 50s. Kern: Low to mid 50s.
Humidity: Visalia: 20%/70% Bakersfield: 20%/50%
Actual Humidity August 15, 2018: Delano, 80%/25%, Porterville, 86%/20%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 90% tomorrow 100% Bakersfield: Today: 90% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.62, Parlier 1.79, Blackwell 2.26, Lindcove 1.78, Arvin 2.14, Orange Cove 1.96, Porterville 1.77, Delano 1.81, Madera Two NA. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 76, Parlier 80, Blackwell 86, Lindcove, 79, Arvin, NA, Orange Cove 81, Porterville 85, Delano 81, Madera Two, NA
Record Temperatures: 110/53. Average Temperatures: 97/64
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 1511 +381
. Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperatures for August so far, 82.2 +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: 6:18 am Sunset: 7:49 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:33
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 95 / 61 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 97 / 65 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 97 / 64 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 97 / 61 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 98 / 70 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 96 / 64 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / M / M /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 97 / 63 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1657 / 98 / 72 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 94 / 58 / 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 17