February 24, 2023
Temperatures at midday are generally in the low to mid 50s, which is 2 to 8 degrees warmer than 24 hours ago. That may seem to be good news, however it’s more than counterbalanced by the fact dew points are 5 to 10 degrees lower than yesterday at this time and are only in the mid to upper 20s. Satellite imagery shows there’s not a cloud to be found, so the combination of dry air on the valley floor, clear skies, and near calm winds will lead to another very cold night. Coldest locations will dip into the mid 20s. More below in the frost discussion.
Weak upper level high pressure continues to build in from the Pacific Ocean. The storm track will move into the Pacific Northwest for at least the next week or so as weak weather systems ride over the top of the high and into western Washington and Oregon from time to time. There are models for roughly March 6 showing another pattern similar to the one we’re currently enduring. A strong ridge builds over the eastern Pacific, reaching all the way into northwest Canada as an arctic trough develops over the interior west. For now, it’s just something to be aware of as the 6th of March in the world of weather is a long way off and much will no doubt change between now and then.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Saturday night. Mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy Sunday through Thursday.
Short Term:
| Madera 27/60/29/65 | Reedley 26/59/28/66 | Dinuba 25/59/29/65 |
| Porterville 27/61/29/66 | Lindsay 25/60/29/65 | Delano 28/61/30/67 |
| Bakersfield 33/59/34/67 | Taft 35/56/38/64 | Arvin 28/61/31/67 |
| Lamont 29/62/31/67 | Pixley 27/60/30/65 | Tulare 25/59/29/64 |
| Woodlake 26/60/29/65 | Hanford 27/60/30/66 | Orosi 26/60/30/65 |
Wind Discussion: Winds this evening will be mainly out of the northwest at 10 to 15 mph with stronger gusts along the west side, diminishing this evening and becoming light to calm after midnight. Winds Thursday through Saturday will be generally at or less than 8 mph with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 days and possibly longer.
Frost: Temperatures at midday are 2 to 8 degrees warmer than yesterday at this time. However, the air mass on the valley floor is considerably drier as dew points are 5 to 10 degrees lower than yesterday, generally running in the mid to upper 20s. With a star filled sky, little or no wind…the radiational cooling process will be strong tonight, lowering temperatures into the mid 20s mainly in those low river bottom type of locations.
Coldest locations could drop down to 24 to 25 degrees with most flat terrain generally ranging from 26 to 30. Hillsides will be in the low to mid 30s. durations at or below 32 won’t be quite as long since highs today were milder, generally ranging from 7 to 9 hours. Temperatures at the very coldest locations will drop at or below 28 degrees for 1 to 3 hours. The inversion tonight will be a good deal better with temperatures at 34 feet from 5 to 8 degrees higher. Expect temperatures Saturday morning to run 2 to 4 degrees milder as the moderation process continues and lows slowly move up. Most locations Sunday morning will be in the low to mid 30s with above freezing conditions Monday morning.
I noticed a couple of models for the period the 8th through the 11th of March are showing a pattern similar to the one we just went through. I realize that’s still a long way off, and as always we’ll monitor the situation.
Lows Tonight:
| Terra Bella
28 |
Porterville
27 |
Ivanhoe
26 |
Woodlake
28 |
| Strathmore
28 |
McFarland
37 |
Ducor
29 |
Tea Pot Dome
28 |
| Lindsay
26 |
Exeter
27 |
Famoso
29 |
Madera
28 |
| Belridge
27 |
Delano
28 |
North Bakersfield
29 |
Orosi
28 |
| Orange Cove
29 |
Lindcove
28 |
Lindcove Hillside
34 |
Sanger River Bottom
26 |
| Root Creek
28 |
Venice Hill
29 |
Rosedale
29 |
Jasmine
28 |
| Arvin
30 |
Lamont
30 |
Plainview
28 |
Mettler
28 |
| Edison
31 |
Maricopa
29 |
Holland Creek
31 |
Tivy Valley
28 |
| Kite Road South
31 |
Kite Road North
28 |
AF=Above Freezing
Next report: February 25