May 3, 2021
There is still enough difference in surface pressure for some locally gusty north to northwest winds along the far west side of the valley this afternoon. Otherwise, a fairly tranquil day is on tap. The freezing level taken above Oakland a few hours ago was 12,300 feet, which is more or less average for early May and will be on the rise over the next few days as upper level high pressure nudges a weak trough of low pressure further east. In fact, readings will top the 90 degree mark as early as Tuesday afternoon, leveling off into the mid 90s Wednesday and Thursday.
The marine layer is pretty shallow, standing at roughly 1,700 feet at Monterey. As the flow pattern becomes weak off shore, the sea breeze will not be a factor through Thursday.
By Thursday evening, a weak trough of low pressure will be digging out of the Gulf of Alaska and into the Pacific Northwest. This will begin to deepen the marine layer, allowing it to surge inland by Friday morning. as the trough moves into the interior western US, the flow pattern will become onshore, shoving modified marine air into the valley and lowering temperatures to seasonal averages by Saturday. Most of the medium range models indicate a weak trough will remain over the interior west, keeping the onshore flow moving and resulting in seasonal temperatures this weekend and into the early part of next week.
It’s a fortunate thing I’m coming back when I am as the weather pattern is becoming typically benign. ?
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Friday. Mostly clear Friday night through Tuesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 87/53/92/55/97 | Reedley 88/52/92/55/97 | Dinuba 87/52/93/55/97 |
| Porterville 88/52/93/55/97 | Lindsay 88/51/93/53/97 | Delano 89/53/93/57/97 |
| Bakersfield 85/63/93/65/97 | Taft 87/59/92/63/97 | Arvin 87/59/93/64/98 |
| Lamont 87/59/93/63/98 | Pixley 86/53/93/56/97 | Tulare 87/53/93/55/96 |
| Woodlake 87/53/93/56/96 | Hanford 87/52/93/56/97 | Orosi 87/52/93/55/97 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Thursday
Mostly clear 58/93 |
Friday
Mostly clear 51/84 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 51/84 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 53/88 |
Monday
Mostly clear 54/89 |
Two Week Outlook: May 10 through May 16: This model is indicating temperatures will be pretty close to seasonal values. The chance of precipitation during this time frame appears to be low.
Winds Discussion: There is still enough difference in surface pressure today for locally gusty north to northwest winds, mainly along the Interstate 5 corridor this afternoon at 15 to 25 MPH with generally light winds elsewhere. Winds tonight through Thursday will be generally at or less than 15 MPH afternoons and evenings and at or less than 6 MPH during the night and morning hours with periods of near calm conditions.
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: Upper 30s to the lower 40s. Mid to upper 30s.
Actual Humidity Range Yesterday: Delano, 94%/35% Porterville, 86%/32%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 90%, tomorrow 90%. Bakersfield: Today: 90% Tomorrow: 90%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days:. Stratford 1.82, Parlier 1.68, Arvin 1.58, Orange Cove 1.74, Porterville 1.50, Delano 1.54. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 65, Parlier 69, Arvin, 69, Orange Cove 71, Porterville 75, Delano 68.
Record Temperatures: 99/38. Average Temperatures: 80/53
Cooling Degree Days This Season:. 37 -4 Varies widely from location to location. courtesy of the NWS
Average Temperature for this month So Far: 80.8 +5.8courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno, 6.59 or -4.13 or 62% of average. Month to Date: .00 or -05
Precipitation for Bakersfield, Season, 2.77, +or- -3.34 or 45% of average. Month to date .00 or -.02
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: 6:01 am Sunset: 7:50 Hours of Daylight: 13:47
Yesterday’s Weather
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 85 / 50 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 85 / 47 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 84 / 52 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1600 / 84 / 52 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 85 / 47 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 81 / 55 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 82 / 50 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / M / M /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 80 / 47 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1653 / 79 / 56 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.88 60 7.99 61 13.20 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 7.12 59 6.86 57 12.14 13.11
MERCED 0.00 7.00 61 0.00 0 11.54 12.50
MADERA 0.00 M M 0.00 0 11.11 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 6.59 61 0.00 0 10.72 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 4.29 46 0.00 0 9.36 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 2.77 45 0.00 0 6.11 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 1.62 38 2.25 52 4.32 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 5.74 47 9.00 74 12.23 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 6.74 55 11.34 93 12.20 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 6.86 51 10.39 77 13.45 13.95
Next report: May 4/AM