May 19, 2021
A developing low is centered over Washington state this morning and has created a trough into northern and central California. At the surface, large differences in pressure exists between off shore northern California and the Desert Southwest. The current reading at Medford, Oregon is 30.06 inches of mercury while at Las Vegas the pressure has fallen to 29.65. this will result in strong winds over the Kern County mountains and breezy weather later today on the valley floor. Marine air is currently surging into the valley. The latest observation at Pacheco Pass indicates sustained winds out of the west at 26 MPH.
A significant cooling trend will begin today with temperatures dropping into the low to mid 70s Thursday through Saturday. overnight lows will be well into the 40s. the low will drop into northern and central California Thursday night through Friday night. scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will become likely over the Sierra Nevada. The fact that this storm is tracking southward over land means that it will be yet another moisture starved event. Measurable rain over the valley floor appears very unlikely, however there is enough of a risk factor to put a small chance of scattered showers over the valley floor in the forecast for mainly Friday and Friday night.
The low will still be overhead Saturday but will begin to weaken then will shift into the interior west Sunday. This will allow upper level high pressure to begin to build inland, resulting in a significant warming trend early next week. In fact, low 90s will be possible as early as Tuesday. Models do show a weak trough of low pressure moving through about the middle of next week which should keep temperatures in check.
Forecast: Mostly clear with occasional high clouds today and tonight. partly cloudy and much cooler Thursday. Variable cloudiness Thursday night through Friday night with a slight chance of isolated showers. Partly cloudy Saturday. Clearing Saturday night. Mostly clear Sunday through Wednesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 82/45/73/42/75 | Reedley 84/45/75/43/75 | Dinuba 83/44/74/43/74 |
| Porterville 84/44/74/43/74 | Lindsay 83/43/74/43/75 | Delano 84/46/75/44/75 |
| Bakersfield 84/52/74/48/74 | Taft 83/51/73/48/73 | Arvin 85/50/73/46/75 |
| Lamont 84/50/73/46/74 | Pixley 84/45/74/44/75 | Tulare 83/44/74/42/73 |
| Woodlake 83/45/74/43/74 | Hanford 83/45/74/43/75 | Orosi 82/43/73/42/74 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Saturday
Partly cloudy 45/74 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 48/79 |
Monday
Mostly clear 52/85 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 54/91 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 54/90 |
Two Week Outlook: May 25 through May 31: This model is now indicating a trough of low pressure will be along the west coast, resulting in near to marginally below average temperatures. The chance of rain during this period will remain very low.
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 increase out of the west to northwest later today at 10 to 20 MPH at times with stronger gusts. Gusts to around 35 MPH will be possible along the west side. Winds tonight through Friday will be mainly out of the northwest at 10 to 20 MPH at times with stronger gusts. Winds will decrease to around 5 to 12 MPH Friday night then will be variable to around 15 MPH Saturday.
Rain Discussion: Another moisture starved closed low will be overhead Thursday night through Friday night. scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are likely over the Sierra Nevada. The chance of measurable rain over the valley floor is quite low, but cannot completely be eliminated. Therefore, we’re continuing to keep a minimal chance of isolated showers in the forecast for Friday and Friday night. expect dry weather Saturday and for at least the following week to ten days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 30s. Low to mid 30s.
Actual Humidity Range Yesterday: Delano, 68%/26% Porterville, 84%/26%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 80%, tomorrow 80%. Bakersfield: Today: 90% Tomorrow: 80%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days:. Stratford 1.98, Parlier 1.76, Arvin 1.94, Orange Cove 1.95, Porterville 1.80, Delano 1.83. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 67, Parlier 74, Arvin, 73, Orange Cove 76, Porterville 81, Delano 73.
Record Temperatures: 103/42. Average Temperatures: 84/58
Cooling Degree Days This Season:. 151 +33 Varies widely from location to location. courtesy of the NWS
Average Temperature for this month So Far: 71.8 +4.0 courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno, 6.59 or -3.92 or 63% of average. Month to Date: .00 or -26
Precipitation for Bakersfield, Season, 2.77, +or- -3.41 or 45% of average. Month to date .00 or -.17
Water year season is from October 1st through September 30.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, , Parlier, , Arvin, , Belridge, , Shafter, , Stratford, , Delano, , Porterville,
Hours at 45 or below 45. Courtesy UC Davis
Sunrise: 5:47 am Sunset: 8:04 Hours of Daylight: 14:15
Yesterday’s Weather
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 87 / 51 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 88 / 51 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 88 / 58 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 88 / 55 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 89 / 50 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 85 / 60 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 87 / 53 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / M / M /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 87 / 52 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1647 / 86 / 61 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 85 / 54 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.88 60 8.33 64 13.06 13.45
MODESTO 0.00 7.12 60 6.87 58 11.81 12.27
MERCED 0.00 7.00 61 0.00 0 11.45 11.80
MADERA 0.00 1.56 15 0.00 0 10.42 10.79
FRESNO 0.00 6.59 63 0.00 0 10.51 10.99
HANFORD 0.00 4.29 55 0.00 0 7.87 8.13
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 2.77 45 0.00 0 6.18 6.36
BISHOP 0.00 1.62 38 2.25 53 4.26 4.84
SALINAS 0.00 5.75 47 9.07 74 12.29 12.58
PASO ROBLES 0.00 6.74 57 11.36 96 11.87 12.15
SANTA MARIA 0.00 6.87 53 10.53 81 13.05 13.32
Next report: May 20/AM