April 20, 2020
Summary: A rather fragmented looking trough of weak low pressure is beginning to move on shore along the northern and central California coast. Doppler radar is indicating scattered showers over the Coast Range which will be moving in from the west into the west side of the valley over the next few hours. The most active portion of this storm will move through the San Joaquin Valley from midafternoon through the evening hours when the coldest and most unstable portion of this system moves through. This system is not particularly cold. The freezing level taken over Oakland last night was 9,300 feet.
Some models do indicate there are enough dynamics for a chance of isolated thunderstorms over the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and possibly even an isolated cell or two over the southern half of the valley. The precipitation pattern with this storm will be spotty, at best. Upslope clouds will bank up against the west facing slopes of the Sierra Nevada and the north facing slopes of the Tehachapi Mountains later tonight and tomorrow morning.
The sky will begin to open up tomorrow afternoon as progressively drier air moves in from the northwest. Well above average temperatures will prevail later this week as high pressure off shore moves slowly inland. It appears this high will reach its pinnacle Saturday when warmest locations, especially in Kern County, push the 90 degree mark.
Medium range models show high pressure dominating the pattern for the first half of next week. Some models indicate a low will move through later next week, however that remains to be seen.
Forecast: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers later today through the late evening hours. There will be a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms from Fresno County south from midafternoon through the evening hours. Mostly cloudy later tonight through Tuesday morning. mostly clear Tuesday afternoon and remaining mostly clear through Monday with a warming trend.
Short Term:
| Madera 67/46/72/49/78 | Reedley 68/46/73/49/78 | Dinuba 67/46/72/48/77 | |
| Porterville 68/45/72/49/79 | Lindsay 68/45/73/48/78 | Delano 69/48/73/51/79 | |
| Bakersfield 69/52/73/54/79 | Taft 67/53/71/54/78 | Arvin 70/50/71/51/79 | |
| Lamont 69/50/71/52/79 | Pixley 68/46/72/49/77 | Tulare 67/45/72/48/77 | |
| Woodlake 67/45/72/48/77 | Hanford 68/48/72/49/77 | Orosi 66/44/73/48/76 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Thursday
Mostly clear 51/80 |
Friday
Mostly clear 52/85 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 53/87 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 53/86 |
Monday
Mostly clear 51/80 |
Two Week Outlook: April 26 through May 2: This model indicates a dominant ridge of upper level high pressure will be over the eastern Pacific and California, resulting in above average temperatures. The chance of rain during this timeframe appears to 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 will be light this morning then will be out of the west or northwest at 8 to 15 MPH this afternoon and tonight with local gusts to 25 MPH. Winds Tuesday through Thursday will be generally at or less than 12 MPH late mornings through early evenings and generally less than 7 hours during the night and morning hours with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain Discussion: There is a chance of scattered showers, mainly this afternoon through the evening hours. An isolated thunderstorm or two cannot be ruled out from midafternoon through the evening hours from Fresno County south. Most of the activity will be over by midnight with dry weather for the remainder of the week. Rainfall amounts will range from nothing to upwards of .10. if a thunderstorm or two develops, isolated locations could pick up more than .25. as I mentioned, expect dry weather from Tuesday through the remainder of the week and more than likely through next week, as well.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 50s. Kern: Low to mid 50s. Humidity values ranging from 55%/90% at Hanford. Bakersfield 55%/85%
Actual Humidity range April 19, 2020: Delano, 96%/48%, Porterville, 96%/48%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 20%, tomorrow 70%. Bakersfield: Today: 20% Tomorrow: 40%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.28, Parlier 1.13, Blackwell Corner 1.21, Arvin 1.20, Orange Cove 1.06, Porterville 1.00, Delano 1.15. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 61, Parlier 64, Blackwell 63, Arvin, 65, Orange Cove 64, Porterville 66, Delano 64
Record Temperatures: 96/36. Average Temperatures: 76/47
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 2 -16
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for April so far: 59.0 -0.3
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.44 or -2.94. Month to Date: 1.58 +.92
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.02, or +1.07. Month to Date: 2.61 +2.23
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: 6:16, Sunset: 7:39 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:21
Yesterday’s Weather:
: …Valley…
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 76 / 51 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 75 / 50 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 74 / 54 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 76 / 50 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 76 / 49 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 74 / 55 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 74 / 55 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1653 / 73 / 52 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 74 / 55 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1644 / 72 / 55 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.99 62 15.79 123 12.86 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.86 58 12.06 102 11.78 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.31 83 11.87 106 11.16 12.50
MADERA 0.00 5.73 53 9.84 92 10.72 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.44 72 9.47 91 10.38 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.48 72 7.67 85 9.02 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.02 118 5.94 100 5.95 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 53 7.55 178 4.24 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 8.99 75 12.31 103 11.95 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.34 95 14.10 118 11.99 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.39 79 14.53 110 13.15 13.95
Next report: April 21/morning