August 31, 2020
Summary: As we wrap up August and move into September, very little change can be expected through midweek with marginally above average temperatures, smoky conditions. The current pattern shows a large high off the coast of the Pacific Northwest with a trough of low pressure extending from western Canada into the northern Rockies. The winds aloft are very light and generally are off shore. The marine layer remains at about 1,500 feet at Monterey and there’s only a marginal amount of sea breeze seeping through the Delta. After Wednesday, the high off the coast of the Pacific Northwest will move southeastward into California for the beginning of a warming trend. By Friday, the high will be almost directly overhead then will strengthen and build a ridge northward into the Pacific Northwest. With the center of circulation remaining almost overhead, the Labor Day weekend promises to be extremely hot for this late in the season. Some models point to temperatures close to 110 in the valley’s hottest locations Sunday and Monday of next week.
Models continue to show upper level high pressure over the western states for much of next week with a big trough of low pressure east of the Rockies. The bottom line here is, clear skies, poor visibility, and hot temperatures will be likely for the coming holiday weekend.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Thursday night. Mostly clear and hot Friday through Monday.
Short Term:
| Madera 96/62/96/63/97 | Reedley 97/62/97/63/98 | Dinuba 96/61/96/62/96 |
| Porterville 98/63/97/64/98 | Lindsay 97/62/97/63/98 | Delano 98/66/98/66/98 |
| Bakersfield 98/72/98/72/98 | Taft 97/74/97/73/97 | Arvin 98/68/98/68/99 |
| Lamont 98/67/98/68/99 | Pixley 97/63/97/64/98 | Tulare 96/62/96/63/97 |
| Woodlake 96/62/96/63/97 | Hanford 97/63/97/64/97 | Orosi 96/61/96/62/97 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Thursday
Mostly clear 63/99 |
Friday
Mostly clear 64/100 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 66/103 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 70/108 |
Monday
Mostly clear 71/108 |
Two Week Outlook: September 7 through September 13: This model indicates an amplified pattern with a big high over the western U.S. and a cool trough of low pressure east of the Rockies. This regime will keep temperatures above average with dry conditions.
September: This model is indicating basically the western half of the United States will have above average temperatures, continuing the trend of the summer season into the early fall. This model shows near average precipitation, which is minimal at best anyway.
September, October, November: This model always indicates above average temperatures for the western U.S. and this time around is no exception. As we head into the autumn season this model is indicating there will be equal chances of above or below precipitation.
Winds Discussion: Winds through Thursday will be mainly out of the northwest at 5 to 12 MPH afternoons and evenings and 3 to 6 MPH nights and early mornings with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Mid to upper 50s. Kern: Low to mid 50s.
Actual Humidity range August 30, 2020: Delano, 98%/24%, Porterville, 76%/31%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 100%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.73, Parlier 1.62, Blackwell Corner 1.88, Arvin 1.98, Orange Cove 1.75, Porterville 1.53, Delano 1.62. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 78, Parlier 80, Blackwell NA, Arvin, 81, Orange Cove NA, Porterville 78, Delano 76
Record Temperatures: 107/50. Average Temperatures: 95/62
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 1717 +398
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for August so far: 83.2 +4.9
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or -. 7.63 or -3.69. Month to Date: .T -.01
Since Oct 1, 2019, Fresno, 7.63 -3.69. 7.20, or +.84. Bakersfield, 7.20 +.81. Month to Date: .T -.04
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: 6:30, Sunset: 7:26 pm. Hours of Daylight: 12:58
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 94 / 61 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 97 / 61 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 98 / 68 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 96 / 61 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 99 / 60 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 97 / 72 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 94 / 61 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1700 / 91 / 69 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 93 / 63 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 8.35 61 18.37 133 13.77 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.94 54 13.35 104 12.85 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.54 78 13.27 109 12.20 12.50
MADERA 0.00 6.02 51 11.42 97 11.77 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.63 67 11.85 105 11.33 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.62 67 9.50 96 9.93 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.20 113 7.80 122 6.39 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 45 8.47 170 4.98 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.18 73 13.80 109 12.66 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.47 91 14.88 118 12.56 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.66 77 15.68 114 13.81 13.95
Next report: September 1/morning