March 12, 2020
Summary: Precipitation is widespread over southern California this afternoon. Heavy precipitation is currently affecting the Los Angeles basin. Isolated thunderstorms are embedded within this batch of moisture. Showers have spread over the Kern County mountains, however the counter clockwise circulation around the low, which is now west of San Diego, is running from east to west across central California, effectively cutting off the northward push of rain. Even so, a chance of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms is possible over the valley portion of Kern County tonight and into Friday morning. north of Kern County, no rain is anticipated.
This storm will finally push inland through southern California and northern Baja tonight and Friday morning, allowing southern California to dry out after three days of significant rainfall.
A low pressure system is in the developmental stages off the coast of British Columbia. Models indicate this storm will slide southward right along the coast to a position just off the northwest California coast Sunday morning. from there, it will head to just northwest of the Bay Area by Monday morning then possibly along the central California coast Wednesday. this storm will pinwheel bands of showers over northern California beginning Sunday, possibly spreading into the valley from mainly Fresno north. A greater possibility of showers will develop Monday, but more especially Tuesday and Wednesday. the low will finally move into Nevada by Wednesday night. models, however, show a baggy area of low pressure hanging around over California next week, as well, for a continued possibility of showers, mainly over the mountain areas.
Temperatures from Sunday on will fall to below seasonal averages, although for now below freezing temperatures are not anticipated.
Forecast: A chance of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms over the valley portion of Kern County tonight into Friday morning. north of Kern County, expect mostly cloudy conditions. Mostly clear Friday afternoon through Friday night. partly cloudy Saturday. increasing cloudiness Saturday night. a chance of showers Sunday, mainly from Fresno County north. Periods of showers becoming likely Sunday night through Wednesday. a slight chance of showers Wednesday night through Thursday.
Short Term:
| Madera 46/74/47/65` | Reedley 45/75/46/65 | Dinuba 43/73/45/64 | |
| Porterville 48/75/47/66 | Lindsay 45/74/46/65 | Delano 52/75/48/66 | |
| Bakersfield 55/75/51/67 | Taft 55/74/52/68 | Arvin 51/75/47/68 | |
| Lamont 52/74/48/68 | Pixley 51/74/46/65 | Tulare 43/73/45/64 | |
| Woodlake 45/73/46/64 | Hanford 46/74/46/65 | Orosi 43/73/45/64 | |
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 8 MPH tonight with periods of near calm conditions. Winds Friday through Friday night will be generally less than 10 MPH with periods of near calm conditions during the night and morning hours. Winds Saturday afternoon through Sunday will be mainly out of the west to northwest at 10 to 15 MPH with stronger gusts.
Rain: It is raining over a wide area of southern California this afternoon. Showers have spread as far north as the Kern County mountains. However, the counterclockwise circulation around the low, which is west of San Diego, has the winds aloft out of the east over central California. This is preventing precipitation from spreading further north. Even so, a chance of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms is possible over the Kern County portion of the valley floor tonight and tomorrow morning with the rest of the growing area remaining dry. The next chance of rain will arrive Sunday, mainly from Fresno County northward, as a cold low drops southward along the northern California coast. Showers will become likely Monday through Wednesday with even a minimal chance of showers Wednesday night through Thursday. Some models show a weak low over California through the remainder of next week for a chance of showers over the mountain areas. Rainfall amounts will generally be light with most locations recording less than .25, but locally more cannot be ruled out.
Frost Discussion: All locations will be above freezing for at least the next 7 to 10 days.
Next report: March 13/morning