ay 2, 2020
Summary: A broad trough of low pressure extends from the Gulf of Alaska southward into the Pacific Northwest and northern California. Weak waves of low pressure move through the trough from time to time. As this occurs, pressure briefly lowers over the interior, setting the stage for gusty winds along the west side of the valley from time to time. Currently, there’s roughly an 11 millibar difference in pressure between San Francisco and Las Vegas, which is not incredibly steep, but enough to keep wind conditions above what you would consider to be average for the date. Winds at the mid and upper levels of the atmosphere remain out of the west. So, even though we’re under a pattern where low pressure is more dominant, temperatures will remain near to marginally above average.
This general weather pattern will continue through Tuesday. Beginning Wednesday, a ridge of upper level high pressure will begin to take shape off the Pacific coast, eventually ridging into the waters off the British Columbia coast. This high, by Friday, will cover the western one-third of the U.S., resulting in well above average temperatures beginning Thursday but more so Friday and through next weekend as readings move into the low to mid 90s.
The pattern for the following week is a bit muddy due to model differences, but it does look like some kind of weak trough will approach the northern California coast about a week from Monday for what will likely be our next cooling trend.
Forecast: Other than occasional high clouds, it will be mostly clear through Tuesday. Mostly clear Tuesday night through Saturday.
Short Term:
| Madera 82/50/82/49/82 | Reedley 83/51/82/49/83 | Dinuba 82/49/82/50/83 | |
| Porterville 83/50/82/49/83 | Lindsay 82/49/82/49/84 | Delano 84/52/83/52/83 | |
| Bakersfield 84/58/82/54/82 | Taft 81/58/81/56/82 | Arvin 84/54/83/54/82 | |
| Lamont 83/54/82/54/82 | Pixley 83/50/82/49/83 | Tulare 82/49/82/48/82 | |
| Woodlake 81/49/82/49/83 | Hanford 83/52/83/51/82 | Orosi 81/48/82/48/83 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Tuesday
Mostly clear 48/82 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 49/84 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 52/89 |
Friday
Mostly clear 56/93 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 56/93 |
Two Week Outlook: May 9 through May 15: 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 during the late morning through the evening hours will be mainly out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH with local gusts to 20 MPH, especially along the west side. Winds during the night and early morning hours will be generally variable to 10 MPH through Tuesday.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 40s. Kern: Low to mid 40s. Humidity values ranging from 25%/90% at Hanford. Bakersfield 30%/85%
Actual Humidity range May 1, 2020: Delano, 77%/26%, Porterville, 80%/18%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 80%, tomorrow 70%. Bakersfield: Today: 90% Tomorrow: 80%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford NA, Parlier 1.73, Blackwell Corner 1.70, Arvin 1.84, Orange Cove 1.70, Porterville 1.64, Delano 1.66. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford NA, Parlier 69, Blackwell 72, Arvin, 71, Orange Cove 70, Porterville 76, Delano 74
Record Temperatures: 101/40. Average Temperatures: 80/50
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 75 +37
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for May so far: 69.5 +4.5
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.51 or -3.18. Month to Date: .00 -.02
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.02, or +.92. Month to Date: .00 -.01
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: 6:02, Sunset: 7:50 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:46
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 84 / 49 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 83 / 55 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 84 / 55 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 85 / 50 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 81 / 55 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 82 / 52 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1700 / 80 / 52 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 82 / 48 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1649 / 81 / 57 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 84 / 55 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.99 61 15.79 120 13.18 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.86 57 12.06 100 12.11 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.34 81 11.87 103 11.51 12.50
MADERA 0.00 5.81 52 9.84 89 11.09 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.51 70 9.47 89 10.69 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.51 70 7.67 82 9.34 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.02 115 6.00 98 6.10 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 52 7.55 175 4.32 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.00 74 12.31 101 12.21 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.34 93 14.11 116 12.19 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.39 77 14.77 110 13.43 13.95
Next report: May 4/morning