January 9, 2021
Summary: The low cloud deck is more persistent along the eastern and southern flanks of the valley this afternoon. As a result, temperatures as of 1:30 are quite chilly with the exception of Lemoore where skies have opened up and the temperature is a toasty 57. Readings are only in the upper 40s elsewhere, with the exception of Bakersfield which is 51 at this hour. The base of the overcast ranges from 600 feet at Madera to 1,700 feet over Visalia and 2,500 feet over Bakersfield. it’s becoming quite clear that some areas won’t burn off at all today. Those that do see some hazy sunshine, like portions of the west side, will have to deal with dense ground fog later tonight as radiational cooling brings the temperature to the dew point and re-forms the Tule fog.
That will be the issue we deal with each day for the short and medium range outlook. Locations underneath the low cloud deck will warm to no more than 50 while locations such as Lemoore, which is enjoying hazy sunshine, could see temperatures top the 60 degree mark.
Currently, there is a sharp ridge of upper level high pressure above us. The storm track will erode the northern portion of the high, again affecting the Pacific Northwest and just brushing the far northern counties of California from time to time. Beginning Tuesday, a very strong high center will develop roughly 500 miles west/southwest of Monterey and will expand into the western 1/3 of the U.S. By the latter part of the upcoming week, temperatures in the foothills will top 70 degrees while temperatures on the valley floor will range in the mid to upper 40s where skies do not clear to the upper 50s-mid 60s where hazy sun breaks through. There is absolutely nothing on projections that would break the blocking pattern we’re under.
Forecast: Low overcast and/or fog nights and mornings with partial clearing in some areas during the afternoons through Wednesday. low overcast and fog nights and mornings continuing Wednesday night through Saturday with partial afternoon clearing.
Short Term:
| Madera 34/52/36/52 | Reedley 33/53/35/53 | Dinuba 32/51/35/53 | |
| Porterville 33/54/35/53 | Lindsay 32/54/35/53 | Delano 34/51/36/53 | |
| Bakersfield 41/55/40/54 | Taft 44/57/45/60 | Arvin 37/57/37/61 | |
| Lamont 40/56/40/57 | Pixley 34/53/35/52 | Tulare 33/48/36/51 | |
| Woodlake 34/53/36/52 | Hanford 34/51/36/52 | Orosi 33/53/36/52 | |
Winds: Winds through Tuesday will be at or less than 10 MPH and variable in nature during the late mornings and afternoons and generally less than 5 MPH during the night and early morning hours with extended periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: Expect dry conditions for the next week to possibly ten days.
Frost: The low overcast is more persistent this afternoon along the east side, and especially in Kern County, with some partial clearing taking place in Tulare County. Where the fog burns off during the next hour or two, ground fog will quickly form again this evening. Areas that remain under the low overcast will continue to generally have reasonably good visibility. Like last night, the coldest frost pockets tonight could drop into the lower 30s. locations remaining under the low cloud deck will be above freezing. In other words, the cat and mouse fog game is in full swing.
We may be dealing with similar situations each day for the next week to ten days. For now, there is nothing on projections that would disrupt what will be a very stable weather week ahead.
Lows Tonight:
| Terra Bella
32 |
Porterville
32 |
Ivanhoe
32 |
Woodlake
Af |
| Strathmore
Af |
McFarland
32 |
Ducor
Af |
Tea Pot Dome
Af |
| Lindsay
32 |
Exeter
31 |
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
31 |
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 update: January 10/am