March 8, 2022
Upper level high pressure continues to dominate the eastern Pacific while a trough of low pressure is racing southward from western Canada. The low will move into Nevada and Utah Wednesday and Wednesday night. There is a chance of light snow showers over the Sierra Nevada. The low will move into the desert southwest Thursday. A brief shot of colder air will move down the valley behind the Thursday system for a brief cool down. That ridge of high pressure off shore will quickly move inland Friday through Saturday, pushing temperatures into the 70s this weekend. A zonal flow, which is essentially west to east in the upper atmosphere, will begin Sunday night and Monday. Most models this afternoon are showing showers spreading into central California Tuesday into early Wednesday as far south as Kern County. This will definitely be a hit and miss storm system as models show a ridge of high pressure building behind the system as the westerly flow continues to bombard the Pacific Northwest and, occasionally, northern California with occasional showers. Central California will be south of the jet stream next week, putting us in a zone of relatively warm weather with above average temperatures.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Wednesday. Mostly clear to occasionally partly cloudy Wednesday night through Thursday night. Mostly clear Friday through Sunday. Partly cloudy Sunday night. Variable cloudiness Monday through Tuesday with a slight chance of light showers Tuesday.
.
Short Term:
Madera 37/70/39/62 | Reedley 37/71/39/63 | Dinuba 36/69/39/61 |
Porterville 37/71/40/62 | Lindsay 36/70/39/62 | Delano 38/71/40/63 |
Bakersfield 44/70/42/61 | Taft 50/68/47/60 | Arvin 40/71/43/63 |
Lamont 41/71/41/62 | Pixley 38/70/39/62 | Tulare 36/69/38/61 |
Woodlake 38/70/39/63 | Hanford 38/71/40/62 | Orosi 36/70/38/62 |
Wind Discussion: Winds will be generally at or less than 12 mph afternoons and evenings and variable in nature. Winds Thursday will be out of the northwest at 8 to 12 mph. winds along the far west side will be out of the north to northwest at 10 to 20 mph with stronger gusts. Light winds will return Friday.
Rain: Expect dry weather through Monday. A trend is developing on models now regarding a relatively mild weather system moving through northern and central California Tuesday into early Wednesday of next week. If this precipitation materializes, amounts will be relatively light, mainly due to the fact this is a fast mover. It also appears to be a one shot event as dry weather will begin later Wednesday and will continue for at least the next several days.
Frost: All locations will be above 32 degrees through Thursday morning. A shot of colder air will move down the valley Thursday and Thursday night, nudging low temperatures back into the low to mid 30s Friday and Saturday mornings. As of now, this looks like local frost will be possible in those traditionally cold spots. High pressure over the weekend will move readings above freezing once again. Next week, a westerly flow will dominate the atmosphere, leading to above average temperatures and no chance of frost.
Next report: March 9