March 15, 2019
Summary: Upper level high pressure over the eastern Pacific continues to slowly build inland. The only exception to this high is a weak upper air disturbance well off the southern California coast which will move inland through northern Baja Friday night and Saturday with high clouds for southern California but little else. As the high continues to move overhead, temperatures will warm accordingly. Warmest locations this afternoon may top 70. By Sunday and Monday, mid to upper 70s will be widespread with possibly even an 80 degree reading or two. This stretch of very pleasant weather will begin to unravel late Tuesday in the form of a trough of low pressure which will be elongated from the Gulf of Alaska to off the central coast. This trough will move inland Wednesday and Thursday for a chance of light showers. It does not appear to be a significant weather event.
Weak high pressure will build in behind this system Thursday night through early Saturday. Models are inconclusive for the pattern for the second half of next weekend through Monday. All of them show some kind of low affecting California during this time frame, but for now only a minimal chance of showers is expected.
Forecast: Mostly clear today and tonight. A mix of high clouds Friday and Friday night. mostly clear Saturday through Tuesday. Increasing cloudiness Tuesday night leading to a chance of showers Wednesday through Thursday.
Short Term:
| Madera 68/37/70/41/75 | Reedley 69/38/72/41/74 | Dinuba 68/36/68/40/73 | |
| Porterville 70/37/72/42/75/ | Lindsay 69/36/70/40/75 | Delano 70/37/73/42/76 | |
| Bakersfield 71/43/74/45/77 | Taft 70/45/74/44/76 | Arvin 70/39/74/43/77 | |
| Lamont 69/40/74/44/76 | Pixley 69/38/71/42/74 | Tulare 69/37/70/40/74 | |
| Woodlake 68/36/71/40/74 | Hanford 69/38/71/42/75 | Orosi 68/36/71/41/74 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Monday
Mostly clear 47/78 |
Tuesday
PM showers 51/68 |
Wednesday
Chance of showers 49/67 |
Thursday
Chance of showers 49/68 |
Friday
Partly cloudy 45/73 |
Two Week Outlook: March 20 through March 26: This model indicates the possibility of off and on unsettled weather for a reasonable chance of rain during this time frame. It also indicates temperatures will be close to seasonal averages.
March: February is a classic example of the unreliability of long range weather forecasting. The 30 day outlook for February was for above average temperatures and drier than normal conditions. Can you say “Ooops”? anyway, the 30 day out look for March gives us marginally above average temperatures with equal chances of above or below precipitation (so in other words, flip a coin).
February, March, April: At least this model projects about equal chances for either above or below average precipitation. There is actually a greater possibility of below average rain over the Pacific Northwest. Generally speaking, temperatures should remain at least marginally above average.
Winds: Winds will be generally at or less than 12 MPH late mornings and afternoons through Monday. During the night and early morning hours, winds will be less than 7 MPH with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: Dry weather continues through at least Tuesday. The next chance of light showers will begin Tuesday night and continue through Thursday. This does not appear to be a significant weather event, but one which would be conducive for periods of light showers. For now, it appears Thursday night into Saturday of next week will be dry with at least a small possibility of showers around Saturday night through Monday of the following week.
Frost Discussion: All locations will be above freezing for at least the next seven to ten days.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 40s. Low to mid 40s. Humidity values ranging from 40%/90% at Hanford. Bakersfield 30%/75%
Actual Humidity March 14, 2019: Delano, NA Porterville, 95%/32%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 90% Bakersfield: Today: 90% Tomorrow: 90%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford .89, Parlier .87, Blackwell .83, Lindcove .73, Arvin .84, Orange Cove .81, Porterville .82. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 56, Parlier 54, Blackwell 53, Lindcove, 58, Arvin, 56, Orange Cove 54, Porterville 56.
Record Temperatures: 91/31. Average Temperatures: 67/44
Heating Degree Days this Season: 1898 +406
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for March so far: 53.1 -1.0
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since Oct 1, 2018 Fresno: 8.90 season. or +.20. Month to Date: 1.08 +.07
Since Oct 1, 2018, Bakersfield: 5.80, or +.84. Month to Date: 1.92 +1.32
Water year season is from October 1st through September.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, Parlier, Arvin, Shafter, Stratford, Lindcove, Porterville,
Hours at 45 or below 45.
Sunrise: 7:09 am Sunset: 7:07 pm. Hours of Daylight: 11:54
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 67 / 36 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 65 / 41 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 67 / 33 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 66 / 32 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 70 / 37 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 65 / 38 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1700 / 63 / 35 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 66 / 34 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1656 / 66 / 42 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / M / 36 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: Water year Oct 1st through September 30th
24hr Season % L.Y. % Ave. Ave. yearly total
STOCKTON 0.00 14.00 126 6.25 56 11.12 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 10.76 106 4.84 48 10.14 13.11
MERCED 0.00 11.05 115 4.16 43 9.60 12.50
MADERA 0.00 8.66 92 3.61 38 9.39 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 8.90 102 3.37 39 8.70 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 7.23 92 2.89 37 7.83 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 5.80 117 2.17 44 4.96 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 7.41 194 0.20 5 3.81 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 11.51 113 3.70 36 10.15 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 13.34 129 4.91 47 10.36 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 13.56 121 3.17 28 11.18 13.95
Next report: Saturday morning/March 16