September 22, 2020
Summary: A series of weak disturbances continues to move from west to east through the Pacific Northwest and northern California. One such disturbance is moving through now. There’s even a band of high clouds moving through central California to mark its passage. The freezing level over the past 24 hours has dropped to around 1,300 feet, according to the latest sounding, indicating marginally cooler air aloft.
A flat zone of upper level high pressure dominates off shore waters and central and southern California with a weak westerly flow aloft. In the tropics over the eastern Pacific, we have a new tropical storm. Tropical storm Lowell is located well to the south/southwest of Cabo San Lucas and will track westward further away. At some point, some clouds could become entrained in the upper winds, however this is no precipitation threat.
The trough will sag a little further south Thursday and Friday, lowering temperatures into the mid to upper 80s. the average temperature at Fresno has now dropped below the 90 degree mark. However, models for the late part of the weekend through at least the middle of next week are indicating hot temperatures as a strong upper high will be building just off the northern and central coast Saturday night and Sunday, possibly parking over northern California by Monday. This will drive temperatures into at least the mid to upper 90s if not the lower 100s. historically, triple digit temperatures have been recorded all the way through mid October.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Friday. Mostly clear skies Friday night through Tuesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 90/56/89/55/85 | Reedley 92/56/90/55/86 | Dinuba 91/55/88/54/85 |
| Porterville 92/57/90/55/85 | Lindsay 91/55/89/55/86 | Delano 92/58/90/56/86 |
| Bakersfield 92/64/90/63/86 | Taft 91/67/90/65/86 | Arvin 93/61/90/60/87 |
| Lamont 92/61/90/59/87 | Pixley 92/57/88/56/85 | Tulare 91/56/89/55/84 |
| Woodlake 92/55/90/55/85 | Hanford 92/56/88/55/85 | Orosi 91/56/89/55/84 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Friday
Mostly clear 53/86 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 56/89 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 58/97 |
Monday
Mostly clear 62/100 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 63/100 |
Two Week Outlook: September 28 through October 4: 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 will be generally at or less than 12 MPH afternoons and early evenings today. Later tonight through friday, winds will occasionally be out of the north to northwest at 8 to 15 MPH with locally stronger gusts, mainly from Fresno County north and along the west side.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for at least the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 50s. Kern: Low to mid 50s.
Actual Humidity Range Yesterday: Delano, 84%/27%, Porterville, 97%/21%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 100%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.22, Parlier 1.04, Blackwell Corner 1.21, Arvin 1.40, Orange Cove 1.11, Porterville .92, Delano 1.12. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 73, Parlier 73, Blackwell 86, Arvin, 76, Orange Cove 79, Porterville 73, Delano 72
Record Temperatures: 104/41. Average Temperatures: 89/57
Cooling Degree Days This Season: 1991 +459
Courtesy of the NWS
Average Temperature for September So Far: 77.1 +2.6
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or -. 7.63 or -3.79. Month to Date: .T -.09
Since Oct 1, 2019, Fresno, 7.63 -3.69. 7.20, or +.84. Bakersfield, 7.20 +.76. Month to Date: .T -.05
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: 6:48 Sunset: 6:53 pm Hours of Daylight: 12:08
Yesterday’s Weather
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 94 / 56 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 95 / 55 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 95 / 64 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 95 / 56 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 96 / 58 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DHM / 93 / 66 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 94 / 58 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 95 / 59 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 93 / 64 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 8.35 60 18.60 134 13.93 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.94 53 13.47 104 12.99 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.54 77 13.27 107 12.39 12.50
MADERA 0.00 6.02 51 11.42 96 11.92 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.63 67 11.85 104 11.42 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.62 66 9.50 95 10.03 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.20 112 7.82 121 6.44 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 44 8.48 167 5.09 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.18 72 13.89 109 12.75 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.47 91 14.88 117 12.67 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.66 77 15.68 113 13.89 13.95
Next report: September 23/morning