April 9, 2019
Summary: A weak but fast moving cold front is currently moving into the southern San Joaquin Valley. Just sprinkles have been recorded on the valley floor. The only location as of 6:00am to record measurable rain was Mettler with a grand total of .01. The main impact of this system will be strong winds as pressures are falling rapidly over the interior due to a fast moving and deep low pressure system centered over Utah. The jet stream is running from northwest to southeast over California which will align with surface pressure differences, generating strong, gusty winds just about everywhere through the late evening hours. Winds are already gusting to 35 MPH at Kettleman Hills, 32 MPH at Hanford, and 29 MPH at Fresno.
A weak ridge will begin to build in from the west later tonight and Wednesday for a temporary calming of the weather pattern. However, from Thursday into early Friday another fast moving system will barrel through. There’s only a minimal chance of measurable rain from this system. As so often happens in the spring months, big differences in pressure will again set up between the eastern Pacific and the interior U.S. for another bout of strong, gusty winds. For now, though, it appears winds will not be as strong as we will experience today.
Over the weekend, a flat zone of high pressure will set up, allowing for generally clear skies and somewhat warmer conditions. Another weak system will move through Sunday night and Monday. Most models depict this as an inside slider with the lion’s share of energy moving into Nevada, giving only the Sierra Nevada a small chance of light showers. Medium range models are now showing a possible prolonged dry period with above average temperatures from the middle of next week and at least through the following weekend.
Forecast: Mostly cloudy this morning in Kings, Tulare, and Kern Counties with a slight chance of sprinkles, mainly in Kern County. Partly cloudy elsewhere. Expect gusty winds and much cooler conditions. Becoming mostly clear tonight with the exception of Kern and southeastern Tulare County which may remain partly cloudy through Wednesday morning. Mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy Wednesday through Thursday morning. Increasing cloudiness later Thursday afternoon with a slight chance of light showers Thursday night and Friday morning. Partly cloudy Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. Mostly clear Saturday afternoon through Sunday. Partly cloudy Sunday night and Monday. Mostly clear Monday night and Tuesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 68/42/69/43/70 | Reedley 70/40/71/41/71 | Dinuba 68/40/68/40/69 | |
| Porterville 68/41/71/41/71 | Lindsay 69/39/71/40/71 | Delano 68/42/71/42/71 | |
| Bakersfield 67/47/69/48/69 | Taft 71/47/70/49/71 | Arvin 67/45/69/44/72 | |
| Lamont 68/45/69/48/71 | Pixley 69/41/71/42/71 | Tulare 69/40/70/42/69 | |
| Woodlake 69/39/71/40/71 | Hanford 68/45/70/43/71 | Orosi 69/38/71/40/70 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Friday
Slight chance of showers 46/69 |
Saturday
Partly cloudy 44/73 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 47/77 |
Monday
Partly cloudy 50/78 |
Tuesday
Partly cloudy 46/73 |
Two Week Outlook: April 16 through April 22: For the first time in several weeks, this model is indicating a strong ridge will be over the eastern Pacific and California, resulting in above average temperatures with very little chance of precipitation.
Winds: Strong, gusty winds can be expected just about everywhere today. Winds in the 15 to 25 MPH range with gusts to 35 are possible with the possible exception of eastern Tulare County. Along the west side, especially along the Interstate 5 corridor, wind gusts of 45 MPH are possible, resulting in areas of blowing dust. Winds will slowly decrease tonight to around 10 to 15 MPH. Winds Wednesday will be generally at or less than 15 MPH along the east side but will still gust to near 25 MPH along the west side of the valley.
Winds late Thursday through Friday will be on the increase again. Winds at 15 to 25 MPH out of the northwest can be expected with gusts to 35 along the west side. Winds over the weekend will be generally at or less than 15 MPH with locally stronger gusts.
Rain: Even though a cold front is moving through the south valley this morning, only trace amounts have been recorded with one lone exception. Mettler recorded .01, although there may have been additional sprinkles nearby. It’s possible a few sprinkles could occur in primarily Kern County this morning. Dry weather can be expected for the remainder of the day and on through Thursday.
The next trough of note will arrive Thursday night and Friday morning. Like the current system, it will be a fast mover with only a minimal chance of a few light showers but for now it appears most locations will remain dry. Dry weather will prevail over the weekend and for now it looks like next week will also be dry as a blocking ridge finally bumps the storm track considerably further north.
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Afternoon Dew Points Today: Mid to upper 30s. Kern: Mid to upper 30s. Humidity values ranging from 30%/65% at Hanford. Bakersfield 30%/65%
Actual Humidity April 8, 2019: Delano, 90%/34% Porterville, 89%/30%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 50%, tomorrow 80% Bakersfield: Today: 20% Tomorrow: 70%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.11, Parlier .1.02, Blackwell 1.09, Lindcove .NA, Arvin 1.17, Orange Cove .90, Porterville 1.00, Delano 1.12 Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 61, Parlier 62, Blackwell 57, Lindcove, 60, Arvin, 64, Orange Cove 58, Porterville 63, Delano 66
Record Temperatures: 95/32. Average Temperatures: 73/46
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 9 +2
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for April so far: 63.2 +5.1
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since Oct 1, 2018 Fresno: 9.22 season. or -.82. Month to Date: .14 -.18
Since Oct 1, 2018, Bakersfield: 5.90, or +.14. Month to Date: .01 -.18
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: 6:32 am Sunset: 7:29 pm. Hours of Daylight: 12:53
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 80 / 56 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 80 / 60 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 84 / 59 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 83 / 57 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 84 / 61 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 81 / 57 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1654 / 83 / 59 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 82 / 54 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1653 / 81 / 63 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / M / 56 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: Water year Oct 1st through September 30th
24hr Season % L.Y. % Ave. Ave. yearly total
STOCKTON 0.00 15.68 125 8.74 70 12.51 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 12.03 105 7.56 66 11.42 13.11
MERCED 0.00 11.84 109 6.75 62 10.82 12.50
MADERA 0.00 9.75 94 6.94 67 10.38 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 9.22 92 6.40 64 10.04 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 7.49 86 4.51 52 8.74 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 5.90 102 3.86 67 5.76 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 7.55 182 1.13 27 4.15 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 12.25 106 6.68 58 11.60 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 14.00 119 9.56 81 11.76 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 14.47 113 5.72 45 12.80 13.95
Next report: Wednesday morning/April 10