February 26, 2020
Summary: As of 1:00pm, the temperature at Bakersfield had already reached 78 degrees with widespread mid 70s throughout the valley. These readings are generally 4 to 6 degrees warmer than 24 hours ago. The center of circulation of a strong upper high is now just west of San Francisco where freezing levels have eclipsed 12,000 feet. The strongest pressures aloft will remain just off shore through Friday, driving temperatures to near record levels. We are entering the spring season, so large differences in temperatures are commonplace. The near record highs currently experienced will drop probably more than 20 degrees between last Sunday and this coming Friday. A couple of models are indicating upper 50s will be the highs Sunday and Monday afternoons. Other models say lower 60s. low to mid 30s will be possible on the coldest locations Monday and Tuesday mornings.
The pool of air associated with a trough of low pressure will also be unsettled with the likelihood of showers over the Sierra Nevada and the Kern County mountains with a continuing risk of light showers over the valley floor. Isolated thunderstorms cannot be ruled out Sunday afternoon and evening, though it depends on the trough’s timing. Once we get past Sunday night, dry weather will return as upper level high pressure builds just off the Pacific coast.
A chilly northerly flow will prevail Monday, turning more northwesterly by Tuesday. From Wednesday and on through next weekend, the storm track will remain well to our north as upper level high pressure will reside over and off the west coast.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Friday night. partly cloudy Saturday. increasing cloudiness Saturday night with a slight chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy Sunday and Sunday night with a chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening. Partly to mostly cloudy Monday morning. becoming partly cloudy Monday afternoon. Mostly clear Monday night through Wednesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 40/78/44/79 | Reedley 41/79/44/80 | Dinuba 40/78/43/78 | |
| Porterville 42/80/43/81 | Lindsay 40/79/44/80 | Delano 43/80/45/81 | |
| Bakersfield 50/81/52/82 | Taft 53/81/53/82 | Arvin 45/81/47/82 | |
| Lamont 44/81/46/82 | Pixley 42/80/44/82 | Tulare 40/78/43/80 | |
| Woodlake 40/78/44/79 | Hanford 43/79/45/80 | Orosi 40/78/43/79 | |
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 12 MPH afternoons and evenings and generally less than 6 MPH nights and mornings with periods of near calm conditions through Saturday.
Rain: We’ll go with a 50/50 shot at measurable rain at any given location Sunday and Sunday night with even a small chance of a few showers after midnight Saturday night. The greatest risk of showers will be along the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and possibly the Kern County mountains. There is also a slight risk of isolated thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening. The chance of showers will be over by later Sunday night with dry weather for all of next week, barring something unforeseen.
Frost Discussion: All locations will be above freezing through Sunday morning. a relatively cold air mass will move overhead Sunday through Monday followed by a brief northerly flow aloft Tuesday. This could lower temperatures into the low to mid 30s in the coldest locations Monday and Tuesday mornings. Other models, however, go with above freezing conditions. At any rate, it does not appear a widespread frost or freeze event will occur. Rapid modification will begin later Tuesday with above freezing conditions Wednesday and beyond.
Next report: February 27/morning