January 24, 2020
Summary: Low clouds have been slow in clearing this afternoon. In fact, as of 1:00pm, Bakersfield, Porterville, and Fresno were reporting overcast conditions with the overcast based between 2,300 and 3,100 feet, depending on reporting station. Madera and Visalia were reporting low clouds just off the deck at about 800 feet. Clearing was occurring though, along the west side of the valley. With dew points way up in the upper 40s to lower 50s, and with a warm air inversion over the valley floor, widespread ground fog can be expected tonight in areas that clear this afternoon. Even though we’re in quite a foggy period, the air mass on the valley floor is mild. Even where the low overcast is solid, temperatures are in the mid 50s this afternoon.
The upper high currently above us will give way Saturday evening, allowing a weak trough of low pressure to move through northern and central California. Models have pushed the southern limit of the rain line a bit more to the south again so it appears there’s a slight chance of light showers north of Kern County Saturday night and Sunday. Weak upslope conditions will prevail behind the trough passage, no doubt leaving plenty of lower level clouds along the eastern and southern flanks of the valley.
A zone of high pressure will stretch from the eastern Pacific across California and into the Great Basin Monday through Wednesday. a stronger and larger high will develop over the eastern Pacific Wednesday night through next weekend for what promises to be plenty of low clouds and fog during the nights and mornings with some afternoon clearing. Temperatures will in part be determined by the coverage of the fog and low clouds and how much clearing happens to occur.
Longer range models continue to show a dry pattern lasting well into February.
Forecast: Widespread fog and low clouds tonight and Saturday morning. clearing in most areas Saturday afternoon revealing partly cloudy skies above the fog. Increasing cloudiness Saturday night, leading ot a slight chance of showers north of Kern County after midnight. A chance of light showers Sunday, mainly north of Kern County. Mostly cloudy Sunday night and Monday morning. mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy Monday afternoon through Wednesday with areas of night and morning fog and low clouds. Mostly clear Wednesday night through Friday with widespread fog and low clouds during the night and morning hours.
Short Term:
| Madera 42/61/45/62 | Reedley 42/62/45/63 | Dinuba 41/61/44/62 | |
| Porterville 43/63/45/63 | Lindsay 42/62/43/63 | Delano 44/61/45/63 | |
| Bakersfield 48/64/47/63 | Taft 48/64/48/62 | Arvin 44/64/45/63 | |
| Lamont 44/64/45/63 | Pixley 42/62/44/63 | Tulare 41/61/44/62 | |
| Woodlake 42/61/44/62 | Hanford 43/62/44/63 | Orosi 41/61/44/62 | |
Winds: Winds will be at or less than 6 MPH through Monday with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: Models this afternoon have nudged the southern limit of possible rain for Saturday night and Sunday a bit further south. For this forecast package, we’ll renew the chance of light showers for Kings and Tulare Counties. The chance of measurable rain over the valley portion of Kern County appears extremely low. Projected rainfall amounts from later Saturday night through Sunday evening will be generally at or less than .10 north of Kern County with locally more possible in eastern Fresno and Madera Counties. After Sunday, all of next week appears dry. Even models going out through the first week in February show a dominant ridge of high pressure over and off the west coast, so unfortunately the chance of precipitation appears low.
Frost Discussion: All locations will be above 32 degrees tonight and each night for the remainder of the week and, if models are correct, well into next week, as well.
Next report: January 25/morning