May 6, 2020
Summary: Strong upper level high pressure is centered over northern Baja this morning, driving temperatures over the Desert Southwest well into triple digits as well as the lower deserts of southern California. To our north, a trough of low pressure is currently moving through the Pacific Northwest. That trough will temporarily weaken pressures above central California for a minor cool down today. However, that high over Baja will quickly build a ridge northward, eventually all the way into British Columbia. This means the high will dominate the pattern over the western U.S. from Thursday through the upcoming weekend. Readings will jump right back to near 90 Thursday then rise into the mid to upper 90s Friday and Saturday as the high reaches its pinnacle.
Models continue to indicate a fairly significant low will develop off the Oregon coastline by Monday, moving a cold front through central California Tuesday and Tuesday night. for now, it appears most of the precipitation will remain over northern California, however there is a small chance of showers reaching as far south as Fresno County Tuesday into Wednesday when the front moves through. If precipitation develops at all over the valley, measurements should be rather scant. Temperatures will take a tumble, falling from the mid to upper 90s over the weekend down to the mid to upper 70s by Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
Increased wind conditions can also be expected as early as next Sunday as the marine layer deepens along the coast and surges inland Sunday evening. After Wednesday of next week, it appears a zonal flow will redevelop across the eastern Pacific for a return to seasonal conditions and dry weather.
Forecast: Other than occasional high clouds, it will be mostly clear through Sunday night. mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy Monday and Monday night and cooler. Increasing clouds Tuesday with a slight chance of showers from mainly Fresno County north Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 82/51/90/57/96 | Reedley 84/51/91/57/97 | Dinuba 82/50/90/56/95 | |
| Porterville 84/50/91/55/97 | Lindsay 83/50/91/55/97 | Delano 84/55/91/62/97 | |
| Bakersfield 84/59/90/65/97 | Taft 82/61/91/67/96 | Arvin 84/56/91/62/97 | |
| Lamont 84/56/91/62/97 | Pixley 83/51/90/60/97 | Tulare 83/50/90/57/96 | |
| Woodlake 82/51/91/56/97 | Hanford 83/53/91/58/97 | Orosi 82/50/90/55/95 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Saturday
Mostly clear 58/96 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 58/92 |
Monday
Mostly clear 53/85 |
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy 51/78 |
Wednesday
Variable clouds 47/77 |
Two Week Outlook: May 13 through May 19: This model is indicating there’s at least a chance of precipitation during this time frame as a broad area of low pressure covers the western U.S. Temperatures will fall to below average during this period.
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 this afternoon will be out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH with local gusts to 20 MPH through this evening. Winds Thursday through Saturday will be generally at or less than 12 MPH and mainly out of the northwest afternoons and evenings.
Rain Discussion: There is a minimal chance of light showers from mainly Fresno County northward Tuesday into Wednesday of next week. Most models show showers remaining mainly in northern California, but leaving room for error, I do believe there’s a minimal chance of showers from Fresno County northward during that time frame.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 40s Kern: Low to mid 40s. Humidity values ranging from 25%/80% at Hanford. Bakersfield 25%/70%
Actual Humidity range May 5, 2020: Delano, 79%/25%, Porterville, 80%/20%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 80%, tomorrow 100%. Bakersfield: Today: 90% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford NA, Parlier 1.79, Blackwell Corner 1.69, Arvin 1.85, Orange Cove NA, Porterville 1.68, Delano 1.70. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford NA, Parlier 71, Blackwell 72, Arvin, 71, Orange Cove 70, Porterville 75, Delano 74
Record Temperatures: 100/41. Average Temperatures: 81/51
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 89 +39
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for May so far: 68.4 +2.8
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.51 or -3.26. Month to Date: .00 -.10
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.02, or +.88. Month to Date: .00 -.05
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: 5:58, Sunset: 7:53 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:54
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 87 / 48 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 88 / 45 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1600 / 89 / 57 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1600 / 89 / 48 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 90 / 47 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 87 / 54 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 88 / 49 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1700 / 83 / 59 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 88 / 51 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1649 / 84 / 63 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 86 / 53 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.99 60 15.79 119 13.27 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.86 56 12.06 99 12.21 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.34 80 11.87 102 11.63 12.50
MADERA 0.00 5.81 52 9.84 88 11.19 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.51 70 9.47 88 10.77 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.51 69 7.67 81 9.42 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.02 114 6.00 98 6.14 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 52 7.55 174 4.34 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.00 73 12.31 100 12.27 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.34 93 14.11 115 12.24 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.39 77 14.77 109 13.50 13.95
Next report: May 7/morning