May 6, 2021
The beginning stages of a cooling trend are well underway. The marine layer at Monterey has jumped to 2,300 feet. In the Delta, winds at Travis AFB are now out of the southwest at 23 MPH, gusting to 27 MPH. Further south at Pacheco Pass, winds are sustained at 20 MPH. Temperatures this afternoon will vary widely, ranging from the mid to upper 80s up in Merced County to the low to mid 90s in the south valley. Kern County, of course, receives the benefit of marine air last. Most locations this afternoon from Fresno County south will range in the low to possibly mid 90s.
A weak trough of low pressure extends from just off the British Columbia coast southward to just off the northern California coast. The trough will push inland later tonight and Friday, pushing a strong surge of modified marine air down the valley. Temperatures Friday and Saturday will be a good 10 degrees cooler than today. Winds will also begin to pick up later this afternoon and at times through Friday. Gusts may exceed 30 MPH along the west side of the valley, especially along the Interstate 5 corridor.
Models show the eastern Pacific high remaining off shore through Monday so look for very pleasant weekend temperatures. By Tuesday, the trough will finally move eastward, allowing a fairly weak ridge of upper level high pressure to build in from the west as readings move back into the low to mid 90s.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Monday. Mostly clear Monday night through Thursday.
Short Term:
| Madera 92/53/84/50/85 | Reedley 93/53/85/49/86 | Dinuba 92/52/85/50/86 |
| Porterville 93/52/85/49/87 | Lindsay 93/52/84/48/86 | Delano 94/57/84/52/86 |
| Bakersfield 95/60/85/58/85 | Taft 92/64/84/59/85 | Arvin 95/57/85/54/85 |
| Lamont 94/56/84/54/85 | Pixley 93/53/85/51/87 | Tulare 92/52/84/49/86 |
| Woodlake 93/53/85/49/86 | Hanford 93/53/85/51/86 | Orosi 93/52/85/48/85 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Sunday
Mostly clear 52/86 |
Monday
Mostly clear 52/87 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 54/89 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 55/91 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 57/93 |
Two Week Outlook: May 11 through May 17: This model indicates upper level high pressure covering the eastern Pacific and the western ¼ of the US will result in somewhat above average temperatures and dry conditions.
May: The old familiar 30 day outlook indicates above average temperatures for the western US including California. Since we’re now entering the dry season, expect precipitation to be almost nonexistent.
May, June, July: If you go by the guidance of this model, temperatures as we move into the summer months will be hotter than average. Expect typically dry weather.
Winds Discussion: Winds will be generally light and variable this morning then will increase out of the west to northwest this afternoon, averaging 10 to 20 MPH. Due to a fairly strong push of marine air, gusts exceeding 30 MPH are possible along the west side through Friday, especially along the Interstate 5 corridor. From Friday night through Sunday, winds will be generally out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH with gusts over 20 MPH possible along the west side.
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 40s. Low to mid 40s.
Actual Humidity Range Yesterday: Delano, 95%/19% Porterville, 76%/16%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 100%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days:. Stratford 2.03, Parlier 1.78, Arvin 1.85, Orange Cove 1.91, Porterville 1.76, Delano 1.75. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 65, Parlier 71, Arvin, 69, Orange Cove 72, Porterville 77, Delano 69.
Record Temperatures: 100/39. Average Temperatures: 80/55
Cooling Degree Days This Season:. 59 -1 Varies widely from location to location. courtesy of the NWS
Average Temperature for this month So Far: 71.6 +5.4 courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno, 6.59 or -3.75 or 64% of average. Month to Date: .00 or -09
Precipitation for Bakersfield, Season, 2.77, +or- -3.29 or 46% of average. Month to date .00 or -.05
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: 5:58 am Sunset: 7:53 Hours of Daylight: 13:53
Yesterday’s Weather
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1600 / 97 / 53 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1600 / 96 / 55 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 98 / 64 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1600 / 97 / 55 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 97 / 55 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 98 / 66 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 96 / 56 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 96 / 57 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1647 / 98 / 71 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 95 / 63 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.88 59 7.99 60 13.27 13.45
MODESTO 0.00 7.12 58 6.86 56 12.21 12.27
MERCED 0.00 7.00 63 0.00 0 11.20 11.80
MADERA 0.00 9999 97933 0.00 0 10.21 10.79
FRESNO 0.00 6.59 64 0.00 0 10.34 10.99
HANFORD 0.00 4.29 56 0.00 0 7.72 8.13
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 2.77 46 0.00 0 6.06 6.36
BISHOP 0.00 1.62 39 2.25 54 4.15 4.84
SALINAS 0.00 5.74 47 9.00 74 12.12 12.58
PASO ROBLES 0.00 6.74 58 11.34 97 11.71 12.15
SANTA MARIA 0.00 6.86 53 10.39 81 12.87 13.32
Next report: May 7/AM