March 24, 2021
As one low pressure system dives into the Four Corners region, another is racing southward into the Pacific Northwest along the eastern rim of upper level high pressure off the Pacific coast. Like its predecessor, the low will dive into the Great Basin tonight and Thursday. All of the active weather will remain over the interior western US from the high Sierra to the Rocky Mountains.
A strong push of north/northwest winds aloft will move over central California Thursday into Friday. As the flow is lifted by the Kern County mountains, it will form yet another low cloud deck over the south valley, especially Thursday night and Friday morning. any shower activity will be confined to the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada. There will be another increase in winds along the west side of the valley and from Fresno County north Thursday and Thursday night.
The high over the eastern Pacific Ocean will shift eastward over the weekend for the beginning of a significant warming trend with afternoon highs eclipsing the 80 degree mark for the first time this spring season Sunday and Monday. Models indicate a strong low will move into the Pacific Northwest Monday and Tuesday then shift into the northern Rockies by the middle of next week. So, as the main wet season is drawing to a close, the storm door appears to be slamming shut, as well.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies today and tonight. partly cloudy Thursday and Friday, except mostly cloudy in Kern and Tulare Counties Thursday night and Friday morning. mostly clear Saturday through Wednesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 70/45/64/40/69 | Reedley 71/41/65/40/70 | Dinuba 70/40/63/39/71 |
| Porterville 71/39/64/39/71 | Lindsay 70/39/65/40/71 | Delano 71/42/65/40/69 |
| Bakersfield 71/45/63/45/70 | Taft 71/48/61/45/69 | Arvin 72/43/63/44/71 |
| Lamont 70/43/63/43/68 | Pixley 71/42/64/40/68 | Tulare 70/41/65/39/70 |
| Woodlake 70/39/65/39/70 | Hanford 71/41/64/40/69 | Orosi 70/39/64/38/70 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Saturday
Mostly clear 42/76 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 42/78 |
Monday
Mostly clear 43/81 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 44/80 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 45/81 |
Two Week Outlook: March 30 through April 5: Don’t expect much in the way of precipitation during this time frame. Models show a generally weak zone of high pressure over California and off shore. Temperatures will likely be marginally above average.
April: This model shows a fairly persistent ridge of upper level high pressure dominating most of the western US for much of the month of April. Temperatures will generally range above average with below average precipitation as we begin the dry season.
April, May, June: You could actually carbon copy the 30 day outlook as the parameters of this model indicate drier than average conditions. However, since this is the beginning of the dry season, it’s a rather moot point. Temperatures will generally range above average.
Winds Discussion: winds today will be no more than 12 MPH with light and variable winds tonight. Winds Thursday and Thursday night from Fresno County north and along the west side will increase out of the northwest at 10 to 20 MPH with stronger gusts. Winds Friday through Saturday will be generally at or less than 12 MPH with periods of near calm conditions, mainly during the night and early morning hours.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for the next seven to ten days, at least.
Frost Discussion: All locations will be above 32 degrees for at least the next seven to ten days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 30s. Mid to upper 20s.
Actual Humidity Range Yesterday: Delano, 83%/42% Porterville, 91%/41%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 80%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 90%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days:. Stratford 1.08, Parlier .93, Arvin .95, Orange Cove .86, Porterville .97, Delano 1.02. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 55, Parlier 58, Blackwell 52, Arvin, 59, Orange Cove 57, Porterville 59, Delano 54.
Record Temperatures: 85/34. Average Temperatures: 69/43
Heating Degree Days This Season: 2085. Varies widely from location to location. courtesy of the NWS
Average Temperature for this month So Far: 52.5, -2.5 courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno, 6.44 or -2.84 or 69% of average. Month to Date: 1.33 or -.26
Precipitation for Bakersfield, Season, 2.58, +or- -2.73 or 49% of average. Month to date .77 or -.18
Water year season is from October 1st through September 30.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, 982, Parlier, 1128, Arvin, 882, Belridge, 1029, Shafter, 1008, Stratford, 1082, Delano, 1157, Porterville, 1108
Hours at 45 or below 45. Courtesy UC Davis
Sunrise: 6:55 am Sunset: 7:15 Hours of Daylight: 12:19
Yesterday’s Weather
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 68 / 45 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 69 / 44 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 70 / 47 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 65 / 43 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 70 / 42 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 64 / 48 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 64 / 46 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 63 / 47 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1659 / 63 / 49 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 66 / 45 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.84 67 7.05 60 11.71 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 7.12 66 5.58 52 10.71 13.11
MERCED 0.00 6.97 69 M M 10.10 12.50
MADERA 0.00 1.55 16 M M 9.76 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 6.44 69 M M 9.28 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 4.13 50 M M 8.20 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 2.58 49 M M 5.31 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 1.62 41 1.73 44 3.95 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 5.70 53 7.62 71 10.79 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 6.73 61 9.58 87 11.05 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 6.86 58 8.48 71 11.90 13.95
Next report: March 24/pm