We will be out of the office Sunday, March 20. Reports will resume Monday, March 21. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the number listed above.
March 19, 2022
The cold front associated with low pressure currently moving into western Canada is moving through the valley this afternoon. Right along the front, there is a band of light showers about 20 miles wide which will move through the valley this afternoon. Satellite imagery is showing a secondary low developing off the central coast. It will move into southern California tonight. The result will be unsettled weather into Sunday morning. Pressure differences between the interior west and rising pressure off shore will spawn some gusty northwesterly winds tonight. Currently, Lemoore is reporting sustained winds at 20 mph with gusts to 31, Hanford is reporting gusts to 25, and Lost Hills has gusts to 23 mph. showers will rapidly end Sunday morning as the trough moves into the interior western US. Strong upper level high pressure off shore will push eastward into California Sunday night and Monday and will ridge up into the Pacific Northwest. The high will strengthen as the week wears on. Readings will top 80 as early as Wednesday afternoon and will level off in the mid 80s Thursday through next weekend. For the fourth model run in a row, the next chance of rain is projected to be a week from Monday or Tuesday as a significant trough of low pressure from the Gulf of Alaska pushes through.
Forecast: Periods of light showers at times tonight, ending by the morning commute Sunday. Remaining mostly cloudy in Kern County and eastern Tulare County into Monday morning with clearing skies elsewhere. Mostly clear with a warming trend Monday through Saturday.
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Short Term:
| Madera 43/63/38/71 | Reedley 44/66/37/72 | Dinuba 44/65/37/71 |
| Porterville 45/63/37/73 | Lindsay 44/65/36/72 | Delano 46/65/40/73 |
| Bakersfield 49/63/44/70 | Taft 51/61/50/69 | Arvin 48/63/43/72 |
| Lamont 49/62/45/69 | Pixley 44/66/39/71 | Tulare 44/64/37/70 |
| Woodlake 45/65/38/71 | Hanford 45/66/40/71 | Orosi 44/65/36/70 |
Wind Discussion: Gusty winds are occurring, especially along the west side, at this hour. The strongest gust I could find so far was 31 mph at the Lemoore NAS. Pressure differences will remain tight as pressures fall over the interior west and rise off shore. Expect winds generally in the 10 to 20 mph range with stronger gusts, diminishing after midnight. Winds Sunday will be out of the northwest at 8 to 15 mph with gusts to 25, mainly along the west side. Winds will decrease Sunday evening and become light and variable Sunday night through Tuesday.
We will be out of the office Sunday, March 20. Reports will resume Monday, March 21. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the number listed above.
Rain: There has been measurable rain this afternoon in Merced County, but so far .05 or less in most locations. A narrow band of light showers is currently moving down the valley. Unsettled conditions will continue into Sunday morning, but amounts will generally be at or less than around .15 or so. Locally more is possible, especially near the Sierra Nevada foothills. For later Sunday morning and then through the next week, dry weather will prevail. For the fourth model run in a row, models show a deep trough of low pressure moving through about a week from Monday or possibly even Tuesday. I’m taking this more seriously now that a decent trend is developing.
Frost: All locations will be above freezing tonight and for at least the next week.
Next report: March 21