March 21, 2022
Temperatures are anywhere from 6 to 11 degrees warmer than 24 hours ago. Most locations are in the upper 60s. the center of circulation of a strong high is located roughly 500 miles west/southwest of the central coast and is building a ridge into the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. The clockwise flow around the high has the winds out of the north and, with the downward motion of the high, temperatures will continue to warm significantly over the next 72 hours. In fact, readings will top the 80 degree mark tomorrow then jump into the mid to upper 80s Wednesday and Thursday, the high will begin to flatten over the Pacific Northwest Thursday night and Friday. Even so, temperatures will still remain in the 80s through Saturday and possibly Sunday. a major change will occur early next week. A trough of low pressure will move into the US. This will be a large scale system. That doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll see significant rain, although it’s possible. The GFS model shows Porterville picking up roughly ,25 Monday and Tuesday of next week. It also shows a secondary low moving through southern California from Kern County south which could rob precipitation amounts further north. Stay tuned, though, as there is plenty of time for all of this to evolve.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Saturday with occasional high clouds. Partly cloudy Saturday night. Increasing cloudiness Sunday with a slight chance of showers Sunday night. Periods of showers Monday.
.
Short Term:
Madera 42/82/49/87 | Reedley 43/81/47/86 | Dinuba 41/81/47/85 |
Porterville 42/82/47/87 | Lindsay 41/81/46/86 | Delano 45/82/49/88 |
Bakersfield 51/82/57/88 | Taft 56/80/62/85 | Arvin 47/82/50/88 |
Lamont 47/82/52/87 | Pixley 43/82/49/87 | Tulare 42/80/46/85 |
Woodlake 42/81/47/86 | Hanford 44/81/49/87 | Orosi 41/80/46/87 |
Wind Discussion: Winds through Thursday will be mainly out of the northwest afternoons and evenings at around 5 to12 mph. during the night and morning, winds will be generally at or less than 5 mph with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: Dry weather will continue through at least Saturday night and possibly Sunday. A large scale low pressure system will affect all of California early next week. There are differences between models on how this will all play out, but it certainly appears rain is on the way beginning Monday. the GFS model shows the formation of a secondary low which will move through southern California while the weaker sector moves through central California. Even so, models are forecasting somewhere near a quarter of an inch on the valley floor. These systems this time of year could also produce afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Since we’re still about a week away, there’s plenty of time to make adjustments to the forecast. But, anytime I can call for water coming out of the sky, it’s a good thing.
Frost: All locations will be above freezing tonight and for at least the next week.
Next report: March 22