November 20, 2020
Summary: Once again this morning, there are areas of low clouds and fog, mainly in Tulare and Kern Counties. As of 6:00am, Porterville and Bakersfield were each reporting ¼ mile visibility with Visalia at ½ mile.
Above the lower level clouds are higher clouds flanked underneath a low pressure system roughly 800 miles west of San Francisco. Variable mid and high level clouds will be visible through the late evening hours before skies begin to clear. That same system will weaken Sunday and Monday then move inland through central and southern California. The Sierra Nevada may add enough lift for some showers over the high country Sunday night and Monday.
Behind this system, a northwest flow will prevail along the eastern side of high pressure located over the eastern Pacific, resulting in a minor cooling trend. Even though there are many model differences for Wednesday, Thanksgiving Day, and beyond, it does appear high pressure will build in from the west, resulting in a pleasant Thanksgiving weekend.
One model did catch my eye for about December 2. It did show a potentially cold air mass moving into the interior western U.S. along the eastern side of a high pressure system which will build into western Canada. For now, I don’t put too much credence in this, nevertheless, we’ll keep an eye on it.
Forecast: Areas of fog and low clouds this morning with variable higher clouds through the late night hours. Becoming mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy Saturday. mostly clear Saturday night and Sunday with patchy night and morning fog. Partly cloudy Sunday night and Monday. Mostly clear Monday night through Friday with areas of night and morning fog and periods of high clouds at times.
Short Term:
Madera 60/34/63/33/64 | Reedley 61/34/63/33/63 | Dinuba 59/39/62/32/63 |
Porterville 59/34/63/33/64 | Lindsay 60/33/62/32/64 | Delano 61/36/62/35/65 |
Bakersfield 60/43/63/42/64 | Taft 61/47/63/43/63 | Arvin 61/40/63/37/64 |
Lamont 61/41/63/38/64 | Pixley 60/36/62/32/64 | Tulare 59/34/61/33/63 |
Woodlake 60/34/62/32/63 | Hanford 61/37/62/35/64 | Orosi 60/34/62/31/63 |
Seven Day Forecast:
Monday
Patchy fog/partly cloudy 35/62 |
Tuesday
Patchy fog/mostly clear 35/63 |
Wednesday
Patchy fog/mostly clear 36/65 |
Thanksgiving
Patchy fog/mostly clear 35/64 |
Friday
Patchy fog/mostly clear 35/65 |
Two Week Outlook: November 26 through December 2 this model points to a continuation of the pattern we’ve seen in recent weeks. Storms will move through the Pacific Northwest, clipping northern California from time to time with central California remaining largely dry. Anticipate somewhat above average temperatures.
December, January, February: This model definitely reflects a La Nina pattern, which is when ocean temperatures are below average through the equatorial waters off of Peru, extending into the mid Pacific. Typically, this results in above average temperatures for much of the southern half of the U.S., including California, with unfortunately below average precipitation for California including the valley.
Winds Discussion: Winds during the late morning and afternoon hours will be variable to no more than 10 MPH while winds during the night through mid morning hours will be generally at or less than 5 MPH with extended periods of near calm conditions through Monday.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to possibly 10 days.
Frost Discussion: Variable amounts of mid and high level clouds will be streaming over the valley tonight. most models show them clearing out during the early morning hours, allowing radiational cooling to lower most locations into the mid to upper 30s. Low 40s can be expected in Kern County. The very coldest river bottom and sink hole locations could drop to 30 to 32 for short durations, but generally we have a safe night.
Coming up Sunday and Monday mornings, temperatures will generally drop into the 33 to 37 range north of Kern County and 37 to 41 in Kern County.
Coldest unprotected locations will drop into the lower 30s with a small chance of isolated cold spots dipping into the upper 20s.
For Tuesday and beyond, temperatures will generally range in the mid 30s to the lower 40s. there was one model that caught my eye this morning. the GFS model showed a large high building along the Pacific coast with a big cold trough of low pressure digging into the interior west, funneling cold air into the western U.S. about December 2. For now, this is just one model.
Air Quality Expectations: The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has issued the following warning(s) for November 20, 2020:
Today’s air quality is listed as good for the entire growing area with the exception of Kern County. In Kern County, the air quality is posted as moderate.
The District’s Real-time Air Advisory Network (RAAN) can be used to track air quality at any Valley location by visiting myRAAN.com. The option to use a specific address is available.
For more information on wildfires affecting the Valley’s air, visit: http://www.valleyair.org/wildfires
In addition, anyone can follow air quality conditions by downloading the free “Valley Air” app on their mobile device
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Upper 40s to the lower 50s. Kern, Upper 40s to the lower 50s.
Actual Humidity Range Yesterday: Delano, 100%/55%, Porterville, NA
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 30%, tomorrow 50%. Bakersfield: Today: 20% Tomorrow: 50%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford .58, Parlier .48, Blackwell Corners .60, Arvin .65, Orange Cove .47, Porterville .51, Delano .50. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 59, Parlier 56, Blackwell 62, Arvin, 58, Orange Cove 60, Porterville 57, Delano 52
Record Temperatures: 80/27. Average Temperatures: 63/39
Heating Degree Days This Season: 237, -78
Courtesy of the NWS
Average Temperature for this month So Far: 54.7 +.0.7
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno, .28, -1.00, Month to Date: .28, -.37
Precipitation for Bakersfield, Season, .39, +or- -.29. Month to date .39, +.01
Water year season is from October 1st through September.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, 87, Parlier, 104, Arvin, 72, Shafter, 77, Stratford, 100, Delano, 96, Lindcove, 100, Porterville, 135
Hours at 45 or below 45.
Sunrise: 6:44 am Sunset: 4:46 pm Hours of Daylight: 10:04
Yesterday’s Weather
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1600 / 64 / 48 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1600 / 66 / 45 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1600 / 65 / 48 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1600 / 67 / 48 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1600 / 61 / 45 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DHM / 64 / 47 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1503 / 52 / 40 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1511 / 65 / 50 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DHM / 50 / 45 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 63 / 44 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON T 0.09 5 0.00 0 1.85 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 0.10 7 0.00 0 1.48 13.11
MERCED 0.00 1.08 68 0.00 0 1.60 12.50
MADERA 0.00 0.16 10 0.00 0 1.65 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 0.28 22 0.00 0 1.28 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 0.13 10 0.00 0 1.25 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 0.39 57 0.00 0 0.68 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 T 0 0.00 0 0.62 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 0.37 27 T 0 1.37 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 0.28 22 T 0 1.25 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 0.25 18 T 0 1.39 13.95
Lows Tonight:
Terra Bella
Af |
Porterville
Af |
Ivanhoe
32 |
Woodlake
32 |
Strathmore
Af |
McFarland
Af |
Ducor
Af |
Tea Pot Dome
Af |
Lindsay
32 |
Exeter
32 |
Famoso
Af |
Madera
Af |
Belridge
31 |
Delano
Af |
North Bakersfield
Af |
Orosi
32 |
Orange Cove
32 |
Lindcove
32 |
Lindcove Hillside
Af |
Sanger River Bottom
30 |
Root Creek
32 |
Venice hill
Af |
Rosedale
Af |
Jasmine
Af |
Arvin
Af |
Lamont
Af |
Plainview
Af |
Mettler
Af |
Edison
Af |
Maricopa
Af |
Holland Creek
Af |
Tivy Valley
Af |
Kite Road South
Af |
Kite Road North
Af |
AF=Above Freezing
Next report: November 20/pm