August 20, 2021
The flow of modified marine air into the valley has ended. Winds at Pacheco Pass and through the Delta are now light and variable while the marine layer has shrunk all the way back to 2,000 feet. There continues to be an amazing amount of smoke in the air, most of it from northern California where numerous fires continue to burn. We should begin to see some improvement in visibility through the weekend. The winds aloft will become southwesterly. At this hour, winds are out of the north/northwest aloft with a freezing level of 15,400 feet above Oakland.
In the big picture, low pressure is moving through the northern Rockies while the next low moves into the Pacific Northwest. Look for a temporary bump in our temperatures this afternoon, although the amount of smoke in the air could have readings a degree or two lower than forecast. Low to mid 90s look to be a good bet over the weekend as that system traverses the Pacific Northwest, again allowing a surge of modified marine air to move down the valley.
Enjoy the late summer reprieve as hot weather is definitely back in the picture beginning around
Wednesday of next week. Models, of course, vary somewhat, but readings in the 101 to 106 degree range appear likely by next Thursday and Friday. Winds aloft will remain southwesterly, so the monsoon will continue to be well east and south of our region.
Forecast: Mostly clear through Saturday with smoky conditions prevailing. Mostly clear Saturday night through Tuesday. Mostly clear and hot Tuesday night through Friday.
Short Term:
| Madera 94/59/94/59/92 | Reedley 95/60/95/59/91 | Dinuba 94/57/95/59/92 |
| Porterville 94/60/94/58/93 | Lindsay 94/58/95/58/92 | Delano 95/62/95/59/92 |
| Bakersfield 94/70/91/67/92 | Taft 94/70/92/68/92 | Arvin 94/69/93/68/93 |
| Lamont 94/67/94/65/93 | Pixley 94/58/94/59/93 | Tulare 93/57/93/56/92 |
| Woodlake 93/58/94/57/93 | Hanford 94/59/94/59/92 | Orosi 92/57/92/58/91 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Monday
Mostly clear 58/93 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 60/95 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 62/97 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 64/101 |
Friday
Mostly clear 65/104 |
Two Week Outlook: August 27 through September 2 This model indicates the reestablishment of high pressure over the desert southwest and California. Precipitation is not expected during this period however temperatures will again be above average.
July: The 30 day outlook for July follows the trend set in June with above average temperatures and upper level high pressure that’s stronger than usual. The typical dry conditions will continue.
July, August, September: Above average temperatures can be expected for the next three months. This model is given equal chance of rain for not only California but also the parched desert southwest.
Winds Discussion: Through Saturday, there will be periods of winds out of the west/northwest at 10 to 20 MPH. gusts to near 30 MPH will be possible, mainly along the west side and especially near the Interstate 5 corridor interspersed with periods of somewhat lighter winds. Winds Saturday through Sunday will be mainly out of the northwest at 5 to 15 MPH, decreasing to light and variable during the night and morning hours.
Rain: Expect dry conditions for at least the next 7 to 10 days.
Actual Humidity Range Yesterday: Delano, 100%/22% Porterville, 67%/24`%, Dew Points: Hanford, low to mid 50s. Bakersfield: Low to mid 50s.
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 100%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 100%.
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days:. Stratford 1.80, Parlier 1.75, Arvin 2.10, Orange Cove 1.88, Porterville 1.71, Delano 1.78. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 78, Parlier 82, Arvin, 79, Orange Cove NA, Porterville NA, Delano 78.
Record Temperatures: 108/54. Average Temperatures: 96/65
Cooling Degree Days This Season. 1704 +370 Varies widely from location to location. courtesy of the NWS
Average Temperature for this month So Far: 83.2 +2.7 courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno, 6.59 or -4.35 or 60% of average. Month to Date: .00 or -.03
Precipitation for Bakersfield, Season,T yesterday, 2.77, +or- -3.34 or 44% of average. Month to date .T or -.-00
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: 6:21 am Sunset: 7:42 Hours of Daylight: 13:22
Yesterday’s Weather
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 87 / 60 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 83 / 59 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 85 / 66 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 85 / 58 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 85 / 58 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 87 / 63 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 85 / 60 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / 68 / 65 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 86 / 61 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1658 / 87 / 67 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 87 / 61 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
TOCKTON 0.00 7.88 59 8.35 63 13.36 13.45
MODESTO 0.00 7.12 58 6.94 57 12.21 12.27
MERCED 0.00 7.00 60 M M 11.75 11.80
MADERA 0.00 M M M M 10.76 10.79
FRESNO 0.00 6.59 60 M M 10.94 10.99
HANFORD 0.00 4.29 53 M M 8.09 8.13
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 2.77 44 M M 6.31 6.36
BISHOP 0.00 1.69 36 2.25 48 4.70 4.84
SALINAS 0.00 5.79 46 9.18 73 12.52 12.58
PASO ROBLES 0.00 6.74 56 11.47 95 12.09 12.15
SANTA MARIA 0.00 6.87 52 10.66 81 13.24 13.32
Next report: August 21/am