July 13, 2020
Summary: Once in a while, I get off the beaten track a bit. Yesterday was one of those days as I was watching temperature information out of Death Valley as it reached 120 degrees by noon, ending with a high of 128. The all time high in the world was set at that location back in 1913 with a disputed high of 134.
Here in the valley, several locations reached 108, which is the highest we’ll see for this heat wave. The strong upper high is being suppressed further south. The center of circulation this morning is in southern New Mexico and it will drop further southeast as a trough of low pressure slides into the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.
Over the past few hours, the marine layer has steadily deepened and dis nearing 2,000 feet in depth. Winds in the Delta are now out of the southwest at 24 MPH, gusting to 32. This indicates the valley’s air conditioner is beginning to open for business.
Triple digits will be widespread today, but still down a few from yesterday. As that trough to our north becomes more of a dominant player, readings will move down into double digits Wednesday through Friday. There is some indication the southwestern high may begin to expandto the west again beginning Friday. There are many model differences on this theory, but it’s possible we may see widespread triple digits again this weekend. Some models are also indicating a southerly flow will set up this weekend which could move a minimal amount of monsoon moisture into the region for a slight chance of thunderstorms over the high Sierra.
Forecast: Clear and hot today. Clear and less hot Tuesday through Friday. Mostly clear Saturday through Monday.
Short Term:
| Madera 101/62/98/58/97 | Reedley 103/62/98/58/98 | Dinuba 102/61/97/57/97 |
| Porterville 105/64/99/59/98 | Lindsay 104/64/98/59/98 | Delano 105/68/98/63/98 |
| Bakersfield 106/73/99/68/98 | Taft 103/72/98/68/97 | Arvin 106/68/99/65/99 |
| Lamont 106/65/99/64/99 | Pixley 105/64/98/60/98 | Tulare 104/61/97/57/97 |
| Woodlake 103/63/98/59/98 | Hanford 104/64/97/61/97 | Orosi 103/62/98/58/97 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Thursday
Mostly clear 59/98 |
Friday
Mostly clear 62/100 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 65/102 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 66/103 |
Monday
Mostly clear 67/103 |
Two Week Outlook: July 19 through July 25: This model shows a trough of low pressure over the Pacific Northwest while upper level high pressure remains over the Desert Southwest. This pattern allows marginally above average temperatures for mid July with typical dry conditions continuing.
July: This model indicates warmer than average temperatures over the next four weeks. The usual dry pattern will prevail in the San Joaquin Valley with the chance of precipitation on any given day being almost nil. Average precipitation for the month is .01.
July, August, September: This time of year, the 90 day out look is no secret. July and August will be hot and dry while September has a minor risk of precipitation, mainly from the tropics. This out look appears fairly typical. Marginally above average temperatures are expected with near average precipitation, which is a meaningless projection.
Winds Discussion: As the day progresses, winds along the west side will increase out of the west at 10 to 20 MPH. gusts to near 35 MPH are possible, mainly near the Interstate 5 corridor. Elsewhere, winds will be out of the northwest at 10 to 15 MPH at times through Tuesday with stronger gusts possible, mainly in the afternoon and evening. For Tuesday through Thursday, winds will be mainly out of the northwest afternoons and evenings at 5 to 12 MPH and variable to 7 MPH nights and morning.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Upper 40s to the lower 50s. Kern: Mid to upper 40s. Humidity values ranging from 15%/75% at Visalia. Bakersfield 15%/50%
Actual Humidity range July 12, 2020: Delano, 67%/16%, Porterville, 67%/12%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 100%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 2.22, Parlier 2.03, Blackwell Corner 2.17, Arvin 2.27, Orange Cove 2.23, Porterville 2.08, Delano 1.99. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 75, Parlier 79, Blackwell NA, Arvin, 79, Orange Cove 83, Porterville 83, Delano 77
Record Temperatures: 110/55. Average Temperatures: 99/65
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 829 +187
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for July so far: 79.8 +1.3
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.63 or -3.69. Month to Date: .00 -.01
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.20, or +.85. Month to Date: .00 -.00
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: 5:51, Sunset: 8:18 pm. Hours of Daylight: 14:28
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 105 / 62 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 105 / 63 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 108 / 75 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 106 / 63 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 108 / 64 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 108 / 77 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 105 / 66 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / M / M /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 106 / 68 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 8.35 61 18.37 134 13.76 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.94 54 13.35 104 12.83 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.54 78 13.27 109 12.19 12.50
MADERA 0.00 6.02 51 11.42 97 11.74 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.63 67 11.85 105 11.32 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.62 67 9.50 96 9.90 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.20 113 7.80 123 6.35 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 47 8.47 178 4.75 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.16 73 13.80 109 12.63 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.37 91 14.88 120 12.45 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.61 77 15.68 114 13.77 13.95
Next report: July 14/morning