March 30, 2019
Summary: Weak upper level high pressure continues to slowly build in from the west/southwest. Temperatures today will be just about average for the time of year then, as the high moves overhead Sunday and Monday, temperatures will warm accordingly. The freezing level overnight at Vandenberg was 11,600 feet, which is quite a jump from the previous 24 hours. However, over Oakland, the freezing level is only 7,300 feet, indicating the high is just now really beginning to nose into northern California.
The next weather system of note will be quite weak. In fact, many locations, especially along the west side and in Kern County, may receive just a few hundredths with some locations remaining dry and probably no more than .10 in Fresno and Madera Counties. Tulare County will likely only pick up around .10.
Upper level high pressure will fill in behind this system Wednesday through Friday for dry weather with near average temperatures through midweek then marginally above average Thursday through Saturday. A large low will cover the Gulf of Alaska Friday through Saturday. This storm will drive a cold front through California later Friday night and Saturday for a good chance of rain from Fresno County north, however we will have to move a few days forward before the southern limit of the precipitation shield can be determined.
After Saturday, most models are now showing a dry pattern developing as upper level high pressure over the eastern Pacific begins to move into the western U.S.
Forecast: Clear skies today and tonight. Mostly clear Sunday through Monday with occasional high clouds. Increasing cloudiness Monday night with a chance of light showers from Fresno County north after midnight. A chance of light showers Tuesday, mainly north of Kern County. Mostly to partly cloudy Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning. Increasing clouds Friday afternoon with a chance of showers Friday night. showers becoming likely Fresno County north Saturday with a chance of precipitation further south.
Short Term:
| Madera 69/41/74/46/78 | Reedley 70/42/74/48/79 | Dinuba 68/41/73/48/77 | |
| Porterville 70/41/74/49/79 | Lindsay 70/40/74/49/80 | Delano 71/43/75/50/80 | |
| Bakersfield 70/48/75/54/81 | Taft 69/48/74/54/80 | Arvin 71/43/75/52/80 | |
| Lamont 71/45/75/52/79 | Pixley 70/42/74/49/79 | Tulare 69/40/74/49/78 | |
| Woodlake 70/42/74/48/78 | Hanford 71/43/75/50/79 | Orosi 69/41/74/49/78 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Tuesday
Small chance of showers 54/70 |
Wednesday
Partly cloudy 46/71 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 47/75 |
Friday
Increasing clouds 50/76 |
Saturday
Chance of showers 52/72 |
Two Week Outlook: April 5 through April 11: This model indicates a very wet pattern for the Pacific Northwest and northern California, especially during the early part of this time frame. Rain appears likely for the 5th and 6th with reduced chances of rain thereafter. The flow pattern aloft will be generally out of the west/southwest so look for temperatures to be somewhat above average.
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 through Monday morning will be generally at or less than 12 MPH afternoons and evenings and less than 7 MPH during the night and morning hours with periods of near calm conditions. Winds will be out of the southeast Monday afternoon at 5 to 15 MPH with stronger gusts from Fresno County north, lasting through Tuesday.
Rain: We will remain rain free through Monday. There is a chance of light showers after midnight Monday night, lasting through mainly Tuesday morning. This morning’s models are showing this system to be even weaker than earlier models had with a chance of light showers from Fresno County north and a small chance further south. Rainfall amounts where it does happen to rain could tally .10 in Madera County and eastern Fresno County. There may be enough of a rain shadow for just a few hundredths in western Fresno County and much of Kings County. Tulare County will likely receive less than .10 and over the valley portion of Kern County, most areas will probably remain dry with the slight chance of a few hundredths in a few areas.
Tuesday night through Friday will be dry. There is a chance of showers later Friday night, becoming likely Saturday especially from Fresno County north, but a reasonable chance of light showers exists in the south valley as well. Showers will continue Saturday night, becoming dry Sunday with lingering showers over the mountains.
Currently it looks like upper level high pressure will take control a week from Monday, maintaining dry conditions for at least the next several days. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Upper 30s to the lower 40s. Kern: Upper 30s to the lower 40s. Humidity values ranging from 30%/85% at Hanford. Bakersfield 35%/80%
Actual Humidity March 29, 2019: Delano, NA Porterville, 95%/36%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 80% Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 90%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.04, Parlier .98, Blackwell NA, Lindcove .NA, Arvin .97, Orange Cove .85, Porterville 1.00, Delano NA Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 58, Parlier 59, Blackwell 53, Lindcove, 60, Arvin, 60, Orange Cove 56, Porterville 60, Delano NA
Record Temperatures: 89/31. Average Temperatures: 70/45
Heating Degree Days this Season: 2000 +437
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for March so far: 55.7 +0.4
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since Oct 1, 2018 Fresno: 9.08 season. or -.54. Month to Date: 1.26 -.67
Since Oct 1, 2018, Bakersfield: 5.89, or +.38. Month to Date: 2.01 +.86
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: 6:46 am Sunset: 7:20 pm. Hours of Daylight: 12:30
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 68 / 46 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 68 / 47 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 71 / 47 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 70 / 44 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1600 / 70 / 45 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 69 / 42 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1654 / 66 / 42 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 68 / 39 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1653 / 64 / 48 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 66 / 44 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: Water year Oct 1st through September 30th
24hr Season % L.Y. % Ave. Ave. yearly total
STOCKTON 0.00 15.20 126 7.37 61 12.06 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 11.91 108 5.78 52 11.02 13.11
MERCED 0.00 11.82 113 5.66 54 10.43 12.50
MADERA 0.00 9.65 96 6.51 65 10.01 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 9.08 94 6.09 63 9.62 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 7.38 87 4.41 52 8.45 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 5.89 107 3.73 68 5.51 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 7.55 187 0.82 20 4.03 5.18
SALINAS 0.03 12.04 108 5.29 47 11.15 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 14.00 123 9.42 83 11.39 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 14.47 118 5.60 45 12.31 13.95
Next report: Saturday afternoon/March 30