May 30, 2020
Summary: The center of circulation of a closed low is just to the southwest of San Francisco this morning. Yesterday, temperatures began to tumble as pressures begin to fall aloft and marine air surged inland. On the valley floor, temperatures are anywhere from 10 to 16 degrees lower than 24 hours ago. If you recall, 48 hours ago Sandburg at an elevation of 4,100 feet was in the lower 70s. this morning, readings are in the mid 40s. Blue Canyon east of Sacramento at 5,600 feet is 25 degrees lower than yesterday at this time.
Doppler radar shows numerous showers over northern California and even a few sprinkles in western Merced County. It is possible that as the storm tracks northeastward, a few sprinkles could occur in western Fresno County, but the remainder of the valley will remain dry, although much cooler.
For tonight and Sunday, the low will be absorbed by another trough of low pressure moving into California from the Gulf of Alaska. This trough is forecast to form a new low off the central coast Monday night and Tuesday, but the trend that began yesterday of keeping this low off shore continues this morning. It is projected to eventually move through southern California Thursday night and Friday. So, even though there will be daily chances of scattered showers and thunderstorms over the high Sierra, I do not anticipate precipitation on the valley floor.
Unlike the blistering heat of last week, temperatures for the entire upcoming week will be quite acceptable, warming to near average by Tuesday. There is some indication that the persistent trough of low pressure will move inland next weekend, possibly lowering temperatures once again.
Forecast: Partly cloudy through Sunday night. Mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy Monday through Thursday. Mostly clear Thursday night through Saturday.
Short Term:
| Madera 82/53/85/57/88 | Reedley 84/54/85/57/87 | Dinuba 83/53/84/56/86 |
| Porterville 84/54/85/57/88 | Lindsay 84/53/85/55/88 | Delano 85/57/86/58/88 |
| Bakersfield 86/59/87/63/89 | Taft 85/63/87/65/89 | Arvin 86/57/87/62/90 |
| Lamont 85/57/87/61/89 | Pixley 84/54/85/57/87 | Tulare 83/53/85/56/87 |
| Woodlake 82/52/85/55/86 | Hanford 83/56/86/59/88 | Orosi 82/52/85/55/87 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Tuesday
Partly cloudy 58/89 |
Wednesday
Partly cloudy 58/90 |
Thursday
Partly cloudy 59/91 |
Friday
Mostly clear 58/92 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 54/86 |
Two Week Outlook: June 6 through June 12: This model is indicating a persistent trough of low pressure off the coast of the Pacific Northwest with a dry west/southwest flow aloft will bring near seasonal temperatures and dry conditions.
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: There will be periods through Tuesday of winds out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH. Local gusts to 25 MPH are possible afternoons and evenings along the west side along with periods of lighter winds.
Rain Discussion: It’s possible a few sprinkles could occur today in western Fresno County and from Merced County north. The remainder of the growing are will stay dry. For now, it looks as though no precipitation will occur on the valley floor next week. Nevertheless, we’ll monitor the progress of an off shore flow that will move southward to our west Tuesday through Wednesday night.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Upper 40s to the lower 50s. Kern: Upper 40s to the lower 50s. Humidity values ranging from 35%/90% at Visalia. Bakersfield 30%/75%
Actual Humidity range May 29, 2020: Delano, 66%/27%, Porterville, 72%/21%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 70%, tomorrow 80%. Bakersfield: Today: 80% Tomorrow: 80%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 2.11, Parlier 1.94, Blackwell Corner 2.16, Arvin 2.15, Orange Cove NA, Porterville 2.03, Delano 2.00. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 70, Parlier 74, Blackwell 81, Arvin, 75, Orange Cove NA, Porterville 81, Delano 78
Record Temperatures: 109/45. Average Temperatures: 88/56
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 269 +93
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for May so far: 71.5 +2.9
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.63 or -3.45. Month to Date: .12 -.29
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.18, or +.92. 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: 5:42, Sunset: 8:12 pm. Hours of Daylight: 14:30
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 92 / 67 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 93 / 62 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 95 / 72 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 96 / 66 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 99 / 63 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 98 / 75 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 97 / 67 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / 74 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 97 / 68 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DHM / 98 / 77 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 88 / 66 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 8.33 61 18.37 134 13.66 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.87 54 13.35 105 12.69 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.54 79 13.27 110 12.05 12.50
MADERA 0.00 6.02 52 11.42 99 11.53 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.63 69 11.85 107 11.08 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.62 68 9.50 98 9.72 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.18 115 7.57 121 6.26 6.47
BISHOP T 2.25 50 8.42 188 4.49 5.18
SALINAS T 9.07 72 13.80 110 12.53 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.36 91 14.88 120 12.42 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.53 77 15.68 114 13.71 13.95
Next report: June 1/morning