Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the wildfires.
September 18, 2020
Summary: Sure enough, sprinkles occurred overnight and continue this morning, mainly from Fresno County north. The remnants of former tropical storm Karina continue to stream across California, basically from LA County on the south to the Bay Area on the north. Satellite imagery this morning shows the flow beginning to dry up off the central coast, so look for clearing skies this afternoon. The west/southwest flow aloft underneath a low pressure system now moving through the Pacific Northwest is the main catalyst dragging this tropical moisture into central California. Pressures are beginning to fall over the interior. Already this morning, winds from Fresno County north and along the west side are out of the northwest, averaging 8 to 15 MPH. this onshore flow will continue to increase through Saturday, resulting in our first inkling of fall temperatures after the brutal summer of 2020. The low will move into the northern Rockies Saturday night and Sunday, allowing a zone of flat high pressure to build in from the eastern Pacific. This will result in generally marginally above average temperatures through the first half of next week. Some models are suggesting a stronger high over California next Wednesday and Thursday, which could drive temperatures back into the mid to upper 90s. After Karina’s remnants move through this morning, generally clear skies will prevail. However, as upper level high pressure takes over, the valley will again be capped, resulting in the ongoing challenges of smoke and poor visibility.
Forecast: Variable cloudiness this morning with a chance of sprinkles, mainly from Fresno county north. Clearing this afternoon. Mostly clear tonight and on through Friday of next week.
Short Term:
| Madera 84/54/83/54/87 | Reedley 85/54/83/54/88 | Dinuba 83/53/82/53/86 |
| Porterville 86/55/83/54/88 | Lindsay 85/53/83/53/88 | Delano 86/57/83/57/88 |
| Bakersfield 88/62/85/64/89 | Taft 86/65/83/65/87 | Arvin 87/58/85/59/90 |
| Lamont 87/58/84/59/89 | Pixley 87/56/83/55/87 | Tulare 84/54/83/53/86 |
| Woodlake 85/54/82/54/87 | Hanford 85/55/84/56/88 | Orosi 84/53/84/54/87 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Monday
Mostly clear 57/92 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 58/93 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 58/94 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 57/95 |
Friday
Mostly clear 59/94 |
Two Week Outlook: September 24 through September 30: This model is indicating the storm track will begin to move into the Pacific Northwest. Upper level high pressure will remain over the Desert Southwest, keeping temperatures somewhat above average with dry conditions continuing.
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 Saturday will be mainly out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH with stronger gusts possible, mainly along the west side and from Fresno County north. Winds Saturday night will begin to decrease to around 5 to 10 MPH. Winds will be generally light and variable with periods of near calm conditions, especially during the night and morning hours, Sunday through Monday.
Rain Discussion: Doppler radar at this hour is depicting fast moving light showers moving from southwest to northeast across central California, mainly from Fresno County north, although there are a few isolated, light returns south of that line. These showers are high based so the bulk of the precipitation evaporates before reaching the ground. As a result, only trace amounts are possible. The remains of Karina’s remnants will move into Nevada this afternoon, ending any precipitation threat. Expect dry weather tonight and for the next week to possibly ten days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 60s. Kern: Low to mid 60s.
Actual Humidity Range Yesterday: Delano, 88%/36%, Porterville, 96%/32%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 30%, tomorrow 90%. Bakersfield: Today: 40% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.13, Parlier .87, Blackwell Corner 1.15, Arvin 1.38, Orange Cove .88, Porterville .93, Delano 1.05. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 73, Parlier 73, Blackwell 86, Arvin, 75, Orange Cove 79, Porterville 73, Delano 71
Record Temperatures: 107/48. Average Temperatures: 90/58
Cooling Degree Days This Season: 1947 +446
Courtesy of the NWS
Average Temperature for September So Far: 77.4 +2.4
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or -. 7.63 or -3.76. Month to Date: .T -.06
Since Oct 1, 2019, Fresno, 7.63 -3.69. 7.20, or +.84. Bakersfield, 7.20 +.78. Month to Date: .T -.03
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: 6:45 Sunset: 6:59 pm Hours of Daylight: 12:17
Yesterday’s Weather
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 87 / 56 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 88 / 53 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 89 / 65 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 88 / 61 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 90 / 58 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DHM / M / M / M /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 87 / 59 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 90 / 58 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 84 / 61 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 8.35 60 18.58 134 13.88 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.94 54 13.47 104 12.94 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.54 77 13.27 108 12.34 12.50
MADERA 0.00 6.02 51 11.42 96 11.88 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.63 67 11.85 104 11.39 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.62 66 9.50 95 10.01 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.20 112 7.82 122 6.42 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 44 8.48 168 5.06 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.18 72 13.89 109 12.72 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.47 91 14.88 118 12.63 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.66 77 15.68 113 13.87 13.95
Next report: September 19/morning