May 5, 2020
Summary: The two main features on model information this morning are an upper high west of the northern Baja coastline and a big low which has been parked in the Gulf of Alaska. Between these two main features is a west to east flow across the eastern Pacific and into California. Temperatures today will be similar to yesterday’s with most locations warming into the mid 80s. we should see a few degrees of cooling Wednesday as that low in the Gulf of Alaska moves into western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, briefly increasing the onshore surface flow and marginally lowering pressures aloft.
A rapid warming trend will begin Thursday as that high off of Baja builds a ridge northward along the west coast, eventually up to the Gulf of Alaska by this weekend. Readings will begin to eclipse the 90 degree mark as early as Thursday afternoon with relatively hot weather for this early in the season through the weekend. It appears Saturday will be the warmest day with readings in warmest locations pushing into the upper 90s.
Models are becoming a bit more interesting for the early part of next week. Some models are suggesting a significant low will develop off the Oregon and northern California coast with showers spreading into northern California. This pattern will have to be closely watched as it is possible showers could make it into at least northern sections of central California by the middle of next week. Temperatures will turn cooler
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Friday. Mostly clear and warmer Friday night through Monday. Increasing cloudiness Tuesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 86/52/84/51/92 | Reedley 87/51/84/51/93 | Dinuba 85/50/83/52/91 | |
| Porterville 87/51/85/53/93 | Lindsay 87/50/87/53/93 | Delano 88/53/85/54/92 | |
| Bakersfield 88/58/85/59/94 | Taft 87/58/84/60/92 | Arvin 88/54/85/55/93 | |
| Lamont 87/54/84/56/93 | Pixley 87/50/87/54/92 | Tulare 86/50/84/53/91 | |
| Woodlake 86/51/87/53/92 | Hanford 87/53/87/55/92 | Orosi 86/51/87/53/91 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Friday
Mostly clear 57/94 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 58/97 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 59/95 |
Monday
Mostly clear 55/85 |
Tuesday
Increasing clouds 52/78 |
Two Week Outlook: May 12 through May 18: This model actually gives at least a marginal hope for rain during this time frame, especially over the Sierra Nevada, but it also continues the trend of above average temperatures.
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 afternoon and evening hours will be mainly out of the northwest at 5 to 12 MPH. Winds during the night and morning hours will be generally variable to no more than 7 MPH with periods of near calm conditions through Friday.
Rain Discussion: Dry weather will continue through at least Monday night. we will have to watch the pattern for Tuesday and beyond as showers appear likely for northern California with showers possibly extending into north/central California Tuesday and Wednesday.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Mid to upper 30s. Kern: Mid to upper 30s. Humidity values ranging from 15%/75% at Hanford. Bakersfield 15%/65%
Actual Humidity range May 4, 2020: Delano, 78%/24%, Porterville, 88%/23%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 100%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford NA, Parlier 1.75, Blackwell Corner 1.67, Arvin 1.84, Orange Cove NA, Porterville 1.65, Delano 1.68. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford NA, Parlier 70, Blackwell 72, Arvin, 71, Orange Cove 70, Porterville 75, Delano 74
Record Temperatures: 99/36. Average Temperatures: 81/51
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 85 +38
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for May so far: 68.4 +2.9
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.51 or -3.25. Month to Date: .00 -.09
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.02, or +.89. Month to Date: .00 -.04
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: 5:59, Sunset: 7:52 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:52
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 85 / 44 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 86 / 42 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 85 / 52 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 84 / 46 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 85 / 43 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 82 / 53 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 83 / 47 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1700 / 78 / 48 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 83 / 47 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1700 / 81 / 56 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 82 / M / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.99 60 15.79 119 13.25 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.86 56 12.06 99 12.19 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.34 80 11.87 102 11.61 12.50
MADERA 0.00 5.81 52 9.84 88 11.16 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.51 70 9.47 88 10.76 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.51 69 7.67 82 9.40 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.02 115 6.00 98 6.13 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 52 7.55 174 4.33 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.00 73 12.31 100 12.26 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.34 93 14.11 115 12.23 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.39 77 14.77 110 13.48 13.95
Next report: May 6/morning