January 7, 2022
A dry cold front is currently moving down the valley. A northwest push of air is generating upslope clouds against the southern Sierra Nevada and the Kern County mountains. Fresno, Visalia, Porterville and Bakersfield are each reporting overcast conditions or broken clouds based between 1,600 and 3,400 feet, depending on location. Dew points are again very high and are pushing 50 degrees. The cloud deck now cramming into the valley will remain tonight and probably most of Saturday, as well. Once this frontal band moves through, a large ridge of upper level high pressure will build northward along the west coast, covering the western US and western Canada. Cold air masses will slide down the eastern rim of the high east of the Rockies while California remains under the strong high and warm descending air associated with the high. The only fly in the ointment will be the formation of a cut off low just off the central coast Monday. This will initially be a dry feature as it moves south off the northern Baja coastline. Some models show showers wrapping around the low and moving into Arizona and southern California about the middle of next week. Just the fact that this is a cut off low, notorious weather bad boys, bears a bit of watching. For now, though, I feel no need to add a chance of rain to the forecast.
Forecast: Low overcast with areas of night and morning fog through next Saturday with clearing in some areas during the afternoons into hazy sunshine.
Short Term:
Lows tonight and again Sunday night will range in the upper 30s and lower 40s. highs Sunday and Monday in locations lucky enough to see some clearing will warm into the mid 50s to near 60. In areas that remain under the overcast, upper 40s and lower 50s can be expected.
Wind Discussion: Winds will be generally at or less than 6 MPH with periods of near calm conditions through Monday.
Rain: No rain is expected for at least the next seven to 10 days
Frost: Expect above freezing conditions for at least the next week and possibly ten days.
Next report: January 8