November 21, 2020
Summary: Bands of mid and high level clouds will continue to stream over central California from a weakening low off the central coast. This system will be kicked inland by a trough of low pressure extending from the Gulf of Alaska to the central coast by Monday morning. by Tuesday, a progressive ridge of high pressure will move in from the eastern Pacific, briefly generating a northerly flow over California. Even though the air mass is somewhat cooler, it’s not cool enough for widespread frost to develop.
We are still looking at the pattern for Thursday through Saturday as a cold trough dives southward over the interior west and a ridge builds northeastward off the Pacific coast and into western Canada. This will create a north/northeast flow for Friday and Saturday. models this afternoon aren’t quite as bullish on the possibility of colder and drier air spilling into the valley. Most, if not all, this air mass is now projected to stay just east of the Sierra Nevada, but this could change.
Upper level high pressure will build into the western states over the weekend for somewhat warmer daytime temperatures. However, with a relatively dry air mass, overnight lows will remain in the 30s at most locations.
Forecast: Other than periods of mid and high level clouds at times, mostly clear skies will prevail through Monday. Mostly clear skies Monday night through Saturday with patchy night and morning fog each day.
Short Term:
Madera 34/62/34/60 | Reedley 35/63/35/60 | Dinuba 33/61/33/59 | |
Porterville 35/64/35/61 | Lindsay 33/63/33/60 | Delano 35/64/35/59 | |
Bakersfield 42/64/41/59 | Taft 44/64/42/58 | Arvin 38/64/37/59 | |
Lamont 37/64/37/59 | Pixley 34/63/34/60 | Tulare 32/62/33/58 | |
Woodlake 34/63/34/60 | Hanford 35/63/35/60 | Orosi 32/63/33/59 |
Winds: Winds during the night through midmorning hours will be generally at or less than 5 MPH with extended periods of near calm conditions through Tuesday. Winds during the late morning through afternoon hours will be variable to 10 MPH.
Rain: Expect dry weather tonight and for at least the next 7 to possibly 10 days.
Frost: Bands of mid and high level clouds will continue to stream over the valley tonight from a weak disturbance off shore. It will be kicked eastward Sunday by a trough of low pressure moving through. Behind this trough is a marginally cooler air mass which will continue the trend of most locations dropping into the 30s overnight with coldest locations in the lower 30s.
I am still watching with great interest the pattern for Friday through Sunday. By thanksgiving afternoon, a massive high will be building along the central coast with a ridge extending inland into western Canada. This will generate a north/northeast flow over the western states as a cold trough digs southward into the Rocky Mountain region.
Models this afternoon are not quite as bullish on a cold air mass moving into California, but rather keep the mass just to the east of the Sierra Nevada. Since this potential pattern is still several days away, adjustments will be made, but for now it doesn’t appear a significant freeze event will occur. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see temperatures in the upper 20s to the lower 30s beginning Friday morning.
Lows Tonight:
Terra Bella
Af |
Porterville
Af |
Ivanhoe
32 |
Woodlake
32 |
Terra Bella
Af |
Porterville
Af |
Ivanhoe
32 |
Woodlake
32 |
Strathmore
Af |
McFarland
32 |
Ducor
Af |
Tea Pot Dome
Af |
Lindsay
Af |
Exeter
32 |
Famoso
Af |
Madera
Af |
Belridge
32 |
Delano
Af |
North Bakersfield
Af |
Orosi
32 |
Orange Cove
Af |
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 22/morning