April 21, 2020
Summary: Skies have cleared over most of the valley this morning. the exception is Kern County where upslope clouds are banking up against the north facing slopes of the Kern County mountains. These clouds will dissipate during the mid to late morning hours as drier air moves in on a northwesterly flow aloft.
From this point on, we will find ourselves traveling into an almost early summer type pattern. Upper level high pressure over the eastern Pacific Ocean will slowly build into California during the next 72 hours, resulting in significant warming. As we head towards the weekend, the high will amplify further north, strengthening over California and driving temperatures to near the 90 degree mark at the warmest locations. It appears Saturday will be the warmest day as the high reaches its pinnacle.
The high will flatten out early next week as a west to east flow develops over the Pacific Ocean and into the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. This will result in a minor cooling trend, however temperatures will still be above average. Even the two week outlook which takes us out to the fourth of May indicates continued above average temperatures with the chance of precipitation in the slim to none category.
Forecast: The cloud cover over Kern County will clear this morning. otherwise, expect mostly clear skies with a warming trend through the weekend. Mostly clear skies will continue Sunday night through Tuesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 73/48/80/53/84 | Reedley 74/49/81/55/85 | Dinuba 73/47/80/53/83 | |
| Porterville 74/48/80/53/84 | Lindsay 73/47/81/53/83 | Delano 73/50/81/55/84 | |
| Bakersfield 74/55/80/58/82 | Taft 73/55/80/58/83 | Arvin 74/51/80/56/82 | |
| Lamont 73/51/80/55/83 | Pixley 73/51/81/55/84 | Tulare 72/47/80/53/82 | |
| Woodlake 73/47/81/53/83 | Hanford 74/50/81/55/84 | Orosi 72/47/81/53/83 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Friday
Mostly clear 55/88 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 56/89 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 52/86 |
Monday
Mostly clear 52/83 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 52/83 |
Two Week Outlook: April 28 through May 4: 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 today will be mainly out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH with locally stronger gusts. Winds tonight through Friday during the late morning through early evening hours will be generally at or less than 15 MPH and generally less than 7 MPH during the night through early morning hours with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Upper 40s to the lower 50s. Kern: Upper 40s to the lower 50s. Humidity values ranging from 40%/85% at Hanford. Bakersfield 45%/85%
Actual Humidity range April 20, 2020: Delano, 92%/61%, Porterville, 98%/60%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 50%, tomorrow 90%. Bakersfield: Today: 40% Tomorrow: 80%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.21, Parlier 1.09, Blackwell Corner 1.11, Arvin 1.20, Orange Cove 1.00, Porterville 1.00, Delano 1.14. 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: 98/36. Average Temperatures: 76/47
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 2 -17
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for April so far: 59.1 -0.4
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.51 or -2.89. Month to Date: 1.65 +.97
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.02, or +1.06. Month to Date: 2.61 +2.22
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: 6:15, Sunset: 7:40 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:23
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 68 / 54 / 0.03 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 61 / 51 / 0.08 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 62 / 53 / 0.07 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 66 / 54 / T /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 68 / 52 / T /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1600 / 71 / 52 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1600 / 59 / 52 / T /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1653 / 66 / 53 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1600 / 57 / 48 / T /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1651 / 69 / 55 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 68 / 53 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON T 7.99 62 15.79 122 12.89 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.86 58 12.06 102 11.81 13.11
MERCED 0.03 9.34 83 11.87 106 11.19 12.50
MADERA 0.08 5.81 54 9.84 92 10.75 12.02
FRESNO 0.07 7.51 72 9.47 91 10.40 11.50
HANFORD T 6.48 72 7.67 85 9.05 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.02 118 5.94 100 5.96 6.47
BISHOP T 2.25 53 7.55 178 4.25 5.18
SALINAS 0.01 9.00 75 12.31 103 11.97 12.83
PASO ROBLES T 11.34 94 14.10 117 12.01 12.78
SANTA MARIA T 10.39 79 14.53 110 13.18 13.95
Next report: April 22/morning