May 28, 2021
Currently, there is a weak trough of low pressure moving through the northern Rockies while a zone of weak upper level high pressure extends from off shore California into the Desert Southwest. There is enough of an on shore flow to modify temperatures just a bit from Merced County northward. Winds at Pacheco Pass are sustained at 20 MPH. At Travis AFB winds were sustained at 19 MPH. There is currently a 7.5 millibar difference in pressure between San Francisco and Las Vegas.
From Fresno County south, pretty much the status quo will prevail through Saturday. late tonight and Saturday, a weak upper low will move through southern California. It will throw some high clouds over the area and add enough lift to the atmosphere for a chance of isolated thunderstorms over the high Sierra Saturday afternoon.
Sunday will be a transition day between the current pattern and a pattern which will bring the first heat wave of the season to central California. As early as Memorial Day, readings will at least be approaching the century mark with widespread triple digits Tuesday through Thursday and possibly Friday. Most locations will see readings in the 100 to 105 degree range. I wouldn’t rule out a few hot spots topping out at around 106 to 107, especially Wednesday and Thursday. The catalyst of all this will be a strong upper high off the northern California coast ridging northeastward into the Pacific Northwest. The clockwise flow around the high will generate a weak northeast flow aloft, adding to the potential for near record high temperatures.
By next weekend, a weak trough of low pressure will move through the Pacific Northwest, possibly allowing some modified marine air to move down the valley. For now, however, it appears any cooling will be marginal as a zone of upper level high pressure remains over California.
Forecast: Mostly clear today. Mostly clear tonight through Sunday with occasional high clouds mixing in. mostly clear and hot Sunday night through Friday.
Short Term:
| Madera 90/55/92/56/97 | Reedley 92/55/92/58/97 | Dinuba 90/54/92/56/96 |
| Porterville 92/55/92/57/97 | Lindsay 91/54/92/57/96 | Delano 92/57/92/59/98 |
| Bakersfield 91/65/92/56/97 | Taft 89/67/91/69/95 | Arvin 92/59/92/62/97 |
| Lamont 91/59/92/61/98 | Pixley 92/57/92/59/97 | Tulare 90/54/91/55/96 |
| Woodlake 91/55/92/56/96 | Hanford 92/57/92/58/97 | Orosi 90/54/91/55/96 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Monday
Mostly clear 63/99 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 64/103 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 63/104 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 64/105 |
Friday
Mostly clear 63/100 |
Two Week Outlook: June 4 through June 10: This model is indicating a zone of upper level high pressure will dominate the western 1/3 of the US during this time frame, resulting in above average temperatures. The typical dry conditions will continue.
June: This model is indicating a ridge of upper level high pressure will be more dominant over the Desert Southwest and, to a lesser extent, California, resulting in above average temperatures for the month with the usual dry conditions prevailing.
June, July, August: This model mimics the pattern of recent years, indicating high pressure over the Desert Southwest being the most dominant feature, resulting in above average temperatures. Theoretically, this pattern blocks monsoonal moisture from moving northward. Typically, there’s little to no precipitation anyway, and that will be the case this summer.
Winds Discussion: Winds during the afternoons and evenings will be mainly out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH with locally stronger gusts. Winds during the night and morning hours will be mainly out of the northwest at 5 to 10 MPH with periods of near calm conditions, through Monday.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 40. Low to mid 40s.
Actual Humidity Range Yesterday: Delano, NA%/19% Porterville, 77%/16%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 80%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 70%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days:. Stratford 2.06, Parlier 1.82, Arvin 1.89, Orange Cove 1.99, Porterville 1.80, Delano 1.75. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 65, Parlier 71, Arvin, 71, Orange Cove 73, Porterville 78, Delano 70.
Record Temperatures: 107/45. Average Temperatures: 86/57
Cooling Degree Days This Season:. 183 +14 Varies widely from location to location. courtesy of the NWS
Average Temperature for this month So Far: 70.4 +1.8 courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno, 6.59 or -4.03 or 62% of average. Month to Date: .00 or -37
Precipitation for Bakersfield, Season, 2.77, +or- -3.47 or 44% of average. Month to date .00 or -.23
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: 5:42 am Sunset: 8:11 Hours of Daylight: 14:27
Yesterday’s Weather
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 88 / 51 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 89 / 50 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 90 / 61 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 91 / 55 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 92 / 52 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 90 / 79 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 89 / 56 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / M / M /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 91 / 53 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1650 / 93 / 56 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 86 / 56 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.88 60 8.33 63 13.21 13.45
MODESTO 0.00 7.12 59 6.87 57 11.99 12.27
MERCED 0.00 7.00 60 0.00 0 11.58 11.80
MADERA 0.00 M M M M 10.54 10.79
FRESNO 0.00 6.59 62 0.00 0 10.62 10.99
HANFORD 0.00 4.29 54 0.00 0 7.96 8.13
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 2.77 44 0.00 0 6.24 6.36
BISHOP 0.00 1.62 38 2.25 52 4.32 4.84
SALINAS 0.00 5.75 46 9.07 73 12.39 12.58
PASO ROBLES 0.00 6.74 56 11.36 95 11.94 12.15
SANTA MARIA 0.00 6.87 52 10.53 80 13.13 13.32
Next report: May 29/am