May 23, 2020
Summary: Low pressure is centered near the Wyoming/Idaho border this morning and is moving slowly eastward. The backside of this low extends into northern California. This will keep temperatures near seasonal values for one more day. The well advertised impending heat wave is still very much in play this morning as strong upper level high pressure over the eastern Pacific will slowly build inland beginning Sunday. Models place the center of circulation of this high in close proximity Tuesday through Thursday. Temperatures will no doubt soar to near record values each day.
The other element of the pattern for this upcoming week will be a closed low which will develop well out over the Pacific Ocean and will slowly move east/northeast during the week, approaching the California coast Friday. Some models show the center of circulation just west of San Francisco Friday night then track it northeastward toward the Pacific Northwest over the weekend. Initially, this system will deepen the marine layer by Thursday evening, causing it to surge through the Delta and eventually over the gaps and passes along the Coast Range by Friday for the beginning of a significant cooling trend. Along with this change will come strong, gusty winds along the west side of the valley Friday.
Medium range models encompassing much of next week show an entirely different pattern as a predominant area of low pressure is projected to extend from the Gulf of Alaska to northern California. For now, we’ll keep any chance of rain out of the forecast for next week but will certainly be studying this pattern.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through tonight. Mostly clear and warmer Sunday through Monday. Mostly clear and hot Tuesday through Thursday. Mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy Friday through Saturday and cooler.
Short Term:
| Madera 84/53/91/58/97 | Reedley 84/54/91/59/98 | Dinuba 82/52/89/58/95 | |
| Porterville 84/52/91/58/98 | Lindsay 83/51/90/57/97 | Delano 85/58/91/62/97 | |
| Bakersfield 83/61/91/65/98 | Taft 82/62/89/66/96 | Arvin 84/57/90/63/98 | |
| Lamont 83/57/90/63/97 | Pixley 84/53/90/59/97 | Tulare 82/52/90/57/95 | |
| Woodlake 83/52/89/58/96 | Hanford 84/54/90/61/97 | Orosi 83/51/89/59/97 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Tuesday
Mostly clear 63/102 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 65/104 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 66/105 |
Friday
Partly cloudy 64/95 |
Saturday
Partly cloudy 56/85 |
Two Week Outlook: May 30 through June 5: 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.
June: The month of June brings us into the dry season for central California. The chance of rain during the month will be very low on any given day. This model indicates we can expect above average temperatures for the month.
June, July, August: What can you say about the summer months in the valley except it will be hot and dry. Of course, this summer will be no exception. Precipitation will be near average, which is next to none. This model indicates the next three months will have above average temperatures, but what else is new?
Winds Discussion: Winds afternoons and evenings will be mainly out of the northwest at around 5 to 12 MPH. Winds during the night and morning hours will be generally variable and generally less than 8 MPH with periods of near calm conditions through Tuesday.
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%/65% at Visalia. Bakersfield 20%/55%
Actual Humidity range May 22, 2020: Delano, 83%/23%, Porterville, 81%/15%
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 1.62, Blackwell Corner 1.80, Arvin 1.69, Orange Cove NA, Porterville 1.67, Delano 1.67. 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: 103/44. Average Temperatures: 86/55
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 176 +46
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for May so far: 69.4 +1.6
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.63 or -3.37. Month to Date: .12 -.21
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.18, or +.94. Month to Date: .16 +.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: 5:45, Sunset: 8:07 pm. Hours of Daylight: 14:21
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 81 / 57 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 82 / 55 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 83 / 61 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 86 / 57 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 86 / 53 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 86 / 58 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 85 / 59 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1700 / 83 / 57 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 87 / 53 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1650 / 85 / 63 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 79 / 58 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 8.33 61 18.32 135 13.56 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.87 55 12.89 103 12.57 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.54 80 13.13 110 11.98 12.50
MADERA 0.00 6.02 52 11.38 99 11.49 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.63 69 11.26 102 11.00 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.62 69 8.70 90 9.65 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.18 115 7.41 119 6.24 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 51 8.37 189 4.44 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.07 73 13.72 110 12.47 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 13.68 13.95
Next report: May 25/morning