April 20, 2019
Summary: One low pressure system moved through southern California overnight and is now centered over northwest Arizona. A second trough of low pressure and its associated cold front are currently moving through northern California and will move through central California during the day. Clouds will increase from the northwest from the late morning through the afternoon hours. The marine layer along the coast has definitely responded. Yesterday morning, the marine layer stood at about 1,000 feet. Currently, it’s just over 3,000 feet and is gushing inland. In fact, winds through Pacheco Pass are currently sustained at 30 MPH, gusting to 46.
The combination of the marine effect and cooler air moving in aloft will result in significant cooling today as readings drop mainly into the upper 70s, possibly near 80 in the south valley. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will break out over the southern Sierra Nevada, however outside of an isolated sprinkle somewhere, the valley will remain dry.
As the low moves into the Great Basin, it will form a new low center, creating a decent northwest push of air at both the surface and aloft. Along with cooler temperatures later today will be gusty winds along the west side of the valley and locally elsewhere.
The next warming trend will begin Monday as upper level high pressure over the eastern Pacific pushes in from the west. The fact that we will be initially on the far eastern side of this high will create a northeast flow aloft which, of course, is an off shore flow. This will accelerate the warming trend. Next week, from Tuesday on, will be quite a warm one as readings again top 90 in the warmer locations by Wednesday and possibly low to mid 90s Thursday.
By Friday, the high will break down in response to a new trough of low pressure moving into the Pacific Northwest and eventually northern California Saturday and Sunday. Currently, it appears the main dynamics of this low will move into the interior west with a good chance of showers over the Sierra Nevada, but generally dry conditions elsewhere. Models have been pointing towards the 28th and 29th for the possibility of showers over the valley. Since some of this morning’s models are pointing towards a drier solution, we will continue to keep precipitation out of the forecast for now.
Next week also looks dry as the constant rotation of highs and lows moves inland to our north, allowing for the continuation of warm ups and cool downs.
Forecast: Increasing cloudiness later this morning. Variable cloudiness at times this afternoon and tonight. A slight chance of a few sprinkles. Clearing Sunday afternoon. Mostly clear Sunday night and on through Saturday of next week.
Short Term:
| Madera 77/45/74/48/81 | Reedley 78/44/74/48/82 | Dinuba 77/43/73/47/81 | |
| Porterville 78/45/75/49/82 | Lindsay 78/44/74/47/81 | Delano 79/48/75/49/82 | |
| Bakersfield 81/50/74/53/83 | Taft 77/54/74/54/83 | Arvin 81/50/74/51/83 | |
| Lamont 80/49/75/53/82 | Pixley 79/45/74/49/82 | Tulare 77/44/74/49/80 | |
| Woodlake 78/44/74/49/81 | Hanford 78/46/74/50/82 | Orosi 77/44/74/48/81 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Tuesday
Mostly clear 52/87 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 56/92 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 59/93 |
Friday
Mostly clear 61/91 |
Saturday
Partly cloudy 57/84 |
Two Week Outlook: April 26 through May 2: Models continue to indicate generally dry conditions as upper level high pressure will be the most dominant feature during this time frame. Overall, temperatures will generally be above average.
May: As we now enter the dry season, precipitation chances, according to this model, will be that of most Mays, in other words, near seasonal. Nothing too dramatic shows up as far as temperatures are concerned with readings near to marginally above average.
May, June, July: As we move through the late spring through mid summer, precipitation opportunities will be typical, in other words, not very high and that’s especially true for June and July. For this 90 day period, temperatures are projected to run somewhat above seasonal values.
Winds: Winds will increase out of the northwest today at 10 to 20 MPH with local gusts near 35 MPH possible, mainly near the west side and from Fresno County north. Winds tonight and Easter Sunday will be mainly out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH with local gusts to 20 MPH, mainly along the west side. Winds Sunday night through Tuesday will be generally less than 15 MPH and mainly out of the northwest afternoons and evenings.
Rain: It’s possible a sprinkle or two could occur from mainly Fresno County north today. Next week will be dry and, if models are accurate, the following week will be dry, as well. The only time frame I’m still following is for next Sunday and Monday when a trough of low pressure will move through. Models this morning are backing off on precipitation opportunities, but it’s still worth following as previous model runs had included a chance of light showers about 8 to 9 days from now.
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Afternoon Dew Points Today: Upper 40s to the lower 50s. Kern: Mid to upper 40s. Humidity values ranging from 40%/85% at Hanford. Bakersfield 35%/70%
Actual Humidity April 19, 2019: Delano, NA, Porterville, NA
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 80%, tomorrow 20% Bakersfield: Today: 80% Tomorrow: 10%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.42, Parlier 1.37, Blackwell 1.49, Lindcove .NA, Arvin 1.52, Orange Cove 1.26, Porterville 1.40, Delano 1.42. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 63, Parlier 64, Blackwell 61, Lindcove, 65, Arvin, 66, Orange Cove 60, Porterville 64, Delano 67
Record Temperatures: 96/36. Average Temperatures: 76/48
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 23 +5
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for April so far: 532 +3.9
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since Oct 1, 2018 Fresno: 9.47 season. or – .91. Month to Date: .39 -.27
Since Oct 1, 2018, Bakersfield: 5.94, or -.01. Month to Date: .05 -.33
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: 6:17 am Sunset: 7:39 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:18
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 92 / 54 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 91 / 59 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 92 / 54 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 93 / 54 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1600 / 92 / 62 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 89 / 55 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / M / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1600 / M / 54 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1654 / 90 / 65 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 90 / 58 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: Water year Oct 1st through September 30th
24hr Season % L.Y. % Ave. Ave. yearly total
STOCKTON 0.00 15.79 123 9.09 71 12.86 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 12.06 102 8.00 68 11.78 13.11
MERCED 0.00 11.87 106 6.91 62 11.16 12.50
MADERA 0.00 9.84 92 7.22 67 10.72 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 9.47 91 6.73 65 10.38 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 7.67 85 4.70 52 9.02 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 5.94 100 3.93 66 5.95 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 7.55 178 1.13 27 4.24 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 12.31 103 7.13 60 11.95 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 14.10 118 9.62 80 11.99 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 14.53 110 6.01 46 13.15 13.95
Next report: Monday morning/April 22