April 9, 2020
Summary: Bakersfield has now recorded 2.25 inches of rain from this incredible storm. That has pushed their seasonal total to 6.63 which is .16 above their entire average total and it continues to rain. Doppler radar is quite telling at this hour. A large batch of precipitation is now moving from north to south along the western side of the low with widespread precipitation in the valley from Madera County south.
The center of circulation of this historic storm appears to be over eastern Kern County and southern Inyo County. Models predict this cut off low will drift south to a position possibly over the Imperial Valley by midday Friday. The rain line will move slowly south with precipitation coming to an end over the central valley later this evening and over Kern County later tonight. however, in the meantime there are high resolution models indicating the valley portion of Kern County could receive another .25 to .33 before this event is over and done. All of the precipitation will be over southern California Friday. By midday Saturday, the low center will be somewhere near the Arizona/New Mexico border.
Over the weekend, a large upper high will build along the Pacific coast with California flanked on the eastern side of the high with the dry northwesterly flow aloft. This will allow temperatures to take a significant jump with readings in the mid to upper 70s over the weekend and warmer locations pushing the 80 degree mark. This basic pattern will continue through Wednesday.
After Wednesday, models diverge a bit. There is some indication of a low center developing off the central or southern California coast. For now, there is no real direct path to indicate precipitation will develop so we’ll continue to go with a dry forecast from Thursday on and see what trends develop in the coming days.
Forecast: Rain this morning. periods of showers this afternoon, mainly from Fresno County south. A chance of showers tonight, mainly in Kern County. Mostly to partly cloudy Friday. Mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy Friday night through Thursday.
Short Term:
| Madera 61/42/68/44/72 | Reedley 61/43/69/45/73 | Dinuba 60/42/68/45/72 | |
| Porterville 59/42/69/44/73 | Lindsay 60/41/69/44/72 | Delano 59/45/68/48/73 | |
| Bakersfield 58/45/68/50/72 | Taft 59/47/67/50/72 | Arvin 58/44/67/46/73 | |
| Lamont 59/44/67/47/73 | Pixley 59/42/69/45/72 | Tulare 69/41/68/45/71 | |
| Woodlake 61/41/69/44/71 | Hanford 61/43/68/46/72 | Orosi 60/41/68/44/72 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Sunday
Mostly clear 49/78 |
Monday
Mostly clear 48/78 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 51/79 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 50/81 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 51/81 |
Two Week Outlook: April 16 through April 22: This model indicates a large high over the eastern Pacific and western U.S., resulting in above average temperatures. The chance of precipitation will be very low.
April: Typically, these models really do not offer a good handle on a weather direction. This particular model is even muddier than most. It simply indicates near average temperatures with near average rain over the next 30 days.
April, May, June: Like most longer range forecasts, above average temperatures are indicated over the next 90 days for most of the lower 48, including central California. This model gives equal chances of above or below average precipitation, but considering we are now into the dry season, it’s pretty much a moot point anyway.
Winds Discussion: Winds today will be mainly out of the east or southeast at 5 to 15 MPH. Winds tonight through Sunday will be generally at or less than 12 MPH late mornings and afternoons and less than 6 MPH during the night and early morning hours with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain Discussion: As of the time of this writing, precipitation was widespread from Madera County south. Rain will continue to be likely from Fresno County south this morning, turning to scattered showers this afternoon. The area of precipitation will slowly move southward with the chance of showers continuing in the south valley into the overnight hours, ending in most areas by midnight. High resolution models indicate another .25 to .33 is possible before the rain ends, especially in Kern County, with considerably less further north. This event will finally draw to a close with dry weather Friday and continuing through at least the middle of next week. Some models are showing the development of a low off the central or southern California coast about Thursday of next week. At this point, the impact on central California appears to be insignificant, but it does deserve being watched.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Mid to upper 40s. Kern, mid to upper 40s. Humidity values ranging from 70%/95% at Hanford. Bakersfield 70%/95%
Actual Humidity range April 8, 2020: Delano, 98%/82%, Porterville, 98%/80%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 10%, tomorrow 60%. Bakersfield: Today: 0% Tomorrow: 50%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.07, Parlier .86, Blackwell Corner .97, Arvin 1.09, Orange Cove .81, Porterville .89, Delano .90. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 58, Parlier 59, Blackwell 60, Arvin, 61, Orange Cove 60, Porterville 62, Delano 59
Record Temperatures: 95/32. Average Temperatures: 73/45
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 0 -7
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for April so far: 56.1 -2.1
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average + or 7.08 or -2.96. Month to Date: 1.22 +.90
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 6.63, or +.87. Month to Date: 2.22 +2.03
Water year season is from October 1st through September.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, Parlier, Arvin, Shafter, Stratford, Delano, Lindcove, Porterville
Hours at 45 or below 45.
Sunrise: 6:31, Sunset: 7:30 pm. Hours of Daylight: 12:56
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced AP 153 : 67 / 50 / 0.05 /
MAE : Madera AP 253 : 64 / 50 / 0.13 /
FAT : Fresno AP 333 : 60 / 49 / 0.28 /
HJO : Hanford AP 242 : 60 / 48 / 0.32 /
NLC : Lemoore NAS 234 : 63 / 49 / 0.37 /
BFL : Bakersfield AP 496 : 52 / 48 / 0.71 /
VIS : Visalia AP 292 : 57 / 48 / 0.41 /
PTV : Porterville AP 442 : 55 / 47 / 0.53 /
/
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.88 63 15.68 125 12.51 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.82 60 12.03 105 11.42 13.11
MERCED 0.02 9.25 85 11.84 109 10.82 12.50
MADERA 0.10 5.56 54 9.75 94 10.38 12.02
FRESNO 0.03 7.00 70 9.22 92 10.04 11.50
HANFORD 0.01 5.98 68 7.49 86 8.74 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.44 6.45 112 5.90 102 5.76 6.47
BISHOP 0.03 1.94 47 7.55 182 4.15 5.18
SALINAS T 8.97 77 12.25 106 11.60 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.02 11.04 94 14.00 119 11.76 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.01 9.97 78 14.47 113 12.80 13.95
Next report: April 10/morning