May 1, 2020
Summary: Temperatures are down another 3 to 5 degrees from 24 hours ago. There remains a 13 millibar difference in pressure between San Francisco and Las Vegas with roughly 7 millibars of difference between Bakersfield and Daggett. This means somewhat breezy conditions will continue, mainly along the west side but elsewhere, as well. The freezing level aloft has lowered nearly 5,000 feet from its peak 72 hours ago. The latest sounding above Oakland indicated a freezing level of 10,200 feet.
In the big picture, a broad area of low pressure resides over the eastern Pacific and western U.S. with a zonal flow aloft, meaning the winds aloft are running from west to east. This will lower temperatures to near average through Monday under mostly clear skies. At midweek, models continue to point towards a strong ridge of upper level high pressure building over the eastern Pacific with a ridge jutting northward to off the British Columbia coast. This will return the valley to early summer conditions as readings once again near the 90 degree mark by Thursday. Models continue to indicate this high will dominate through next weekend.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Monday. Mostly clear Monday night through Friday.
Short Term:
| Madera 81/49/81/50/82 | Reedley 83/50/83/49/82 | Dinuba 81/49/82/49/82 | |
| Porterville 83/48/83/49/81 | Lindsay 82/48/83/48/81 | Delano 83/51/83/52/82 | |
| Bakersfield 82/55/82/56/81 | Taft 81/57/82/57/81 | Arvin 83/52/82/53/82 | |
| Lamont 83/52/83/53/82 | Pixley 83/51/83/52/82 | Tulare 81/48/83/49/81 | |
| Woodlake 82/48/82/48/81 | Hanford 82/52/83/52/81 | Orosi 81/48/82/48/81 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Monday
Mostly clear 46/78 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 48/85 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 51/87 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 54/90 |
Friday
Mostly clear 55/91 |
Two Week Outlook: May 7 through May 13: 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.
May: The first month of the dry season will be typically dry, in other words this model is portraying near average precipitation for the month of May. It also appears the trend of above average temperatures will continue for the month.
May, June, July: Obviously, over the next 90 days precipitation will be largely nonexistent with the usual few exceptions, mainly during the month of May. Models show the western half of the U.S. having generally above average temperatures.
Winds Discussion: Winds will continue to be mainly out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH through Monday. Gusts to near 25 MPH are possible, mainly during the afternoons and evenings and especially along the west side.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Mid to upper 30s. Kern: Mid to upper 30s. Humidity values ranging from 20%/85% at Hanford. Bakersfield 20%/70%
Actual Humidity range April 30, 2020: Delano, 76%/25%, Porterville, 88%/19%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 90%, tomorrow 90%. Bakersfield: Today: 90% Tomorrow: 90%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford NA, Parlier 1.69, Blackwell Corner 1.71, Arvin 1.83, Orange Cove 1.67, Porterville 1.63, Delano 1.66. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford NA, Parlier 69, Blackwell 69, Arvin, 71, Orange Cove 70, Porterville 75, Delano 74
Record Temperatures: 101/38. Average Temperatures: 80/50
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 70 +34
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for April so far: 63.1 +2.4
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.51 or -3.16. Month to Date: 1.65 +.70
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.02, or +.93. Month to Date: 2.61 +2.09
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: 6:03, Sunset: 7:49 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:43
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 86 / 52 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 88 / 54 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 88 / 59 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 89 / 58 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 91 / 53 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DHM / 86 / 63 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 89 / 58 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / 84 / 57 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 87 / 58 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1653 / 85 / 64 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 85 / 55 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.99 61 15.79 120 13.15 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.86 57 12.06 100 12.08 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.34 81 11.87 103 11.48 12.50
MADERA 0.00 5.81 53 9.84 89 11.06 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.51 70 9.47 89 10.67 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.51 70 7.67 82 9.32 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.02 115 6.00 99 6.09 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 52 7.55 175 4.31 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.00 74 12.31 101 12.19 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.34 93 14.11 116 12.17 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.39 77 14.77 110 13.41 13.95
Next report: May 2/morning