September 19, 2020
Summary: Most locations are reporting a visibility of between 8 to 10 miles at this hour, which is the best we’ve seen for quite some time. This is courtesy of a robust onshore flow as a low pressure system drags across the Pacific Northwest and is now centered over Idaho and northern Nevada. Winds at most locations north of Kern County are out of the northwest at 8 to 12 MPH, except in Tulare County where winds are generally out of the west.
The remnants of former tropical storm Karina moved quickly off to the northeast and have been absorbed by that low over Idaho. With cooler maritime air moving into the valley, below average temperatures will again keep temperatures refreshingly moderate. A weak zone of upper level high pressure will begin to build in from the west Saturday, creating a weak westerly flow aloft and spreading a much drier air mass over California. Temperatures will be marginally above average by early next week then may move into the mid 90s Thursday and Friday as high pressure eventually moves overhead and eastward into the Four Corners region by this coming weekend.
Low pressure will then begin to push into the Pacific Northwest Saturday. some models show showers as far south as northwest California, however the only impact for central California will be somewhat cooler weather. How much cooler is quite speculative at this time.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Tuesday. Mostly clear skies Tuesday night through Saturday.
Short Term:
| Madera 83/54/87/56/90 | Reedley 84/55/87/57/90 | Dinuba 82/53/87/56/89 |
| Porterville 84/54/89/57/90 | Lindsay 83/53/89/56/90 | Delano 84/58/89/59/91 |
| Bakersfield 85/65/91/66/91 | Taft 84/66/90/68/91 | Arvin 85/58/90/61/92 |
| Lamont 85/59/90/62/91 | Pixley 84/55/89/57/90 | Tulare 83/53/88/56/89 |
| Woodlake 83/54/87/56/89 | Hanford 84/56/87/56/90 | Orosi 83/53/88/56/90 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Tuesday
Mostly clear 57/93 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 57/94 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 57/94 |
Friday
Mostly clear 58/95 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 60/90 |
Two Week Outlook: September 26 through October 2: 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 this evening will be mainly out of the west to northwest at 8 to 15 MPH with stronger gusts possible, mainly from Fresno County north and along the west side. Winds will be generally at or less than 12 MPH afternoons and early evenings and will be variable in nature Sunday through Tuesday. Winds will be generally less than 6 MPH during the night and morning hours with near calm conditions.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for at least the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Mid to upper 50s. Kern: Mid to upper 50s.
Actual Humidity Range Yesterday: Delano, 82%/36%, Porterville, 93%/33%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 100%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.18, Parlier .90, Blackwell Corner 1.22, Arvin 1.45, Orange Cove .91, Porterville .95, Delano 1.10. 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 72
Record Temperatures: 105/44. Average Temperatures: 90/58
Cooling Degree Days This Season: 1961 +452
Courtesy of the NWS
Average Temperature for September So Far: 77.5 +2.6
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or -. 7.63 or -3.77. Month to Date: .T -.07
Since Oct 1, 2019, Fresno, 7.63 -3.69. 7.20, or +.84. Bakersfield, 7.20 +.77. 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: 6:46 Sunset: 6:58 pm Hours of Daylight: 12:15
Yesterday’s Weather
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 85 / 66 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 86 / 64 / T /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 84 / 70 / T /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 89 / 70 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 88 / 70 / T /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DHM / M / M / M /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 88 / 67 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 89 / 66 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1700 / 86 / 71 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 84 / 65 / T /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON T 8.35 60 18.60 134 13.90 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.94 54 13.47 104 12.95 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.54 77 13.27 107 12.36 12.50
MADERA T 6.02 51 11.42 96 11.89 12.02
FRESNO T 7.63 67 11.85 104 11.40 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.62 66 9.50 95 10.01 10.10
BAKERSFIELD M 7.20 112 7.82 122 6.43 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 44 8.48 167 5.07 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 12.64 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.66 77 15.68 113 13.87 13.95
Next report: September 21/morning