May 22, 2020
Summary: Currently, low pressure extends from the Canadian Rockies southwestward into northeast California. This system will slide southeastward into the Great Basin later today and tonight. As pressure differences increase between the coast and the interior, and a dry cold front moves through central California this morning, winds will begin to pick up, especially along the valley’s west side. At last report, winds were sustained at 21, gusting to 35 MPH through Pacheco Pass just above Los Banos. This trough passage will also keep temperatures near average in central California through Saturday.
The trough will move into the Rocky Mountain region Sunday, allowing a strong ridge of upper level high pressure to begin to build in from the eastern Pacific Ocean. This will set the stage for a heat wave which, for this early in the season, will last for an extended period of time. As early as Monday, readings will press the century mark with widespread triple digits Tuesday through Thursday of next week. According to the latest modeling, hottest locations Wednesday and Thursday may top out at 105 to 106 with most locations in the 101 to 104 degree range.
The upper high and its associated bubble of warm subsiding air will be overhead at midweek. Models continue to indicate a closed low which initially will be well off the California coast, will slowly approach the coast Friday, possibly taking a turn to the north/northeast, eventually moving into the Pacific Northwest next weekend. As the low approaches the coast Thursday night and Friday, the marine layer will deepen and surge inland, moving temperatures down into double digits with more cooling over the weekend as cooler air moves in aloft and more and more marine air presses inland.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Monday. Mostly clear and warmer Monday night through Friday.
Short Term:
| Madera 84/49/84/53/92 | Reedley 85/49/85/54/92 | Dinuba 83/48/84/52/91 | |
| Porterville 85/48/85/53/91 | Lindsay 84/48/84/52/92 | Delano 85/53/85/55/91 | |
| Bakersfield 84/57/84/60/92 | Taft 83/58/84/61/90 | Arvin 85/54/84/57/92 | |
| Lamont 85/54/85/57/91 | Pixley 84/49/85/53/91 | Tulare 83/47/84/52/90 | |
| Woodlake 83/48/84/52/91 | Hanford 84/50/85/55/92 | Orosi 83/47/85/51/90 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Monday
Mostly clear 58/97 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 62/101 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 65/104 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 66/103 |
Friday
Mostly clear 63/96 |
Two Week Outlook: May 27 through June 2: This model is actually showing a chance of above average rainfall for the southern half of California and the Desert Southwest, probably due to a projected cut off low situation. Temperatures, however, are expected to remain above seasonal averages.
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 increase out of the northwest through this evening at 10 to 20 MPH at times. Gusts nearing 30 MPH will be possible, mainly in western Fresno County and much of Kings County. These winds will diminish during the late evening hours and will generally be less than 8 MPH after midnight with periods of near calm conditions during the early morning hours. Winds Saturday through Monday will be mainly out of the northwest at 5 to 12 MPH afternoons and evenings and variable during the night and morning hours to 7 MPH with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Upper 30s to the lower 40s. Kern, Low to mid 40s. Humidity values ranging from 20%/70% at Visalia. Bakersfield 25%/55%
Actual Humidity range May 21, 2020: Delano, 82%/31%, Porterville, 86%/24%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 90%, tomorrow 100%. Bakersfield: Today: 90% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford NA, Parlier 1.59, Blackwell Corner 1.75, Arvin 1.63, Orange Cove NA, Porterville 1.63, Delano 1.63. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford NA, Parlier 71, Blackwell 76, Arvin, 71, Orange Cove NA, Porterville 76, Delano 75
Record Temperatures: 104/43. Average Temperatures: 86/55
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 169 +45
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for May so far: 69.3 +1.6
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.63 or -3.36. Month to Date: .12 -.20
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.18, or +.95. Month to Date: .16 +.02
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: 5:45, Sunset: 8:06 pm. Hours of Daylight: 14:20
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 85 / 52 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 85 / 49 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 85 / 57 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 85 / 56 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 86 / 50 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 85 / 55 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 85 / 55 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1652 / 83 / 52 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 85 / 50 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1650 / 82 / 59 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 84 / 54 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 8.33 61 18.25 135 13.55 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.87 55 12.88 103 12.55 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.54 80 13.11 110 11.97 12.50
MADERA 0.00 6.02 52 11.27 98 11.49 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.63 69 11.26 102 10.99 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.62 69 8.70 90 9.64 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.18 115 7.41 119 6.23 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 51 8.37 189 4.43 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.07 73 13.70 110 12.46 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.36 92 14.85 120 12.39 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.53 77 15.56 114 13.67 13.95
Next report: May 23/morning