December 3, 2022 afternoon report

December 3, 2022

The following are storm totals as of roughly 11:00 am: Fresno 1,23, Bakersfield .16, Delano .45, Belridge .68, Porterville .58, Kettleman Hills .69, Reedley 1.03, Madera .67, Merced .69, Firebaugh .42, Visalia .67, Hanford .79, Lemoore .84, and Coalinga 1.14.

The band of subtropical moisture, moved on shore resulting in widespread precipitation. There is still plenty of action out in the ocean to the west. Showers will continue for the remainder of the afternoon then another band of solid precipitation will move inland through central California tonight and Sunday morning. There have been two main bands of energy come across the Pacific. One is a subtropical jet stream flanked right into central California. The other is wrapped around a deep low pressure system wrapped around a deep low pressure system right off the California coast. Models show the low finally weakening Sunday then indicate it will park right over northern California in a greatly weakened state Monday through Thursday. Just about any day through Thursday could see light showers, but mainly over the mountains.

It’s looking more and more as though another major storm will move out of the Gulf of Alaska, spreading precipitation over California Friday and Saturday. Unlike its predecessor, however, it does not appear this one will have a pineapple connection, so amounts will be lighter. After this weekend, models are showing dry conditions as upper level high pressure moves in from the west..

Forecast: Periods of showers through Sunday morning with a chance of showers Sunday afternoon. Mostly cloudy Sunday night and Monday with a slight chance of showers. A slight chance of showers Tuesday. Partly cloudy Tuesday night through Thursday night with areas of night and morning fog and low clouds. Increasing cloudiness Friday leading an increasing chance of showers Friday night and Saturday.

Short Term:

Madera 48/63/42/59	Reedley 50/64/42/60	Dinuba 48/63//41/60
Porterville 49/64/41/61	Lindsay 48/64/42/59	Delano 50/63/43/59
Bakersfield 59/62/48/58	Taft 55/62/47/58	Arvin 50/64/45/61
Lamont 50/63/46/60	Pixley 50/63/43/59	Tulare 48/62/42/59
Woodlake 48/63/42/60	Hanford 49/64/42/61	Orosi 48/63/43/60

Wind Discussion: Winds will be mainly out of the southeast at around 8 to 15 mph at times through tonight with stronger gusts possible. Winds Sunday will be mostly out of the northwest at 5 to 12 mph with stronger gusts, diminishing Sunday night. Winds Monday through Tuesday will be variable to near 10 mph during late morning through afternoon hours. Winds during the night and morning hours will be variable to no more than 5 mph with periods of near calm conditions.

Rain: Central California was in the bulls-eye of roughly a 200 mile wide channel of subtropical moisture. This resulted in widespread precipitation this morning. That feed has dried up somewhat. Even so. Showers will continue for the remainder of the day. Another significant band of rain will move into central California tonight through Sunday morning, tapering off by Sunday afternoon. After Sunday night, a weak area of low pressure will be centered over northern California. I wouldn’t completely rule out a chance of showers any day, but most days will be dry from Monday through Thursday. Models show a cold low moving out of the Gulf of Alaska and into northern and central California later Friday and Saturday. After this weekend, it appears we’ll have a chance to dry out for a while.

Frost: All locations will be above 32 degrees tonight and on through at least Tuesday morning. A moderately cold air mass will center over central California Wednesday through Friday with the potential of widespread low to mid 30s. However, a number of different factors could come into play, keeping temps up a bit. Cloud cover over a weak low over northern California is one such factor. Now that we’re into December and the ground is soaking wet, fog and low clouds will also come into play. At any rate, nothing too serious is on the horizon.

Lows Tonight:

Terra Bella

Porterville

Ivanhoe

Woodlake

Strathmore

McFarland

Ducor

Tea Pot Dome

Lindsay

Exeter

Famoso

Madera

Belridge

Delano

North Bakersfield

Orosi

Orange Cove

Lindcove

Lindcove Hillside

Sanger River Bottom

Root creek

Venice Hill

Rosedale

Jasmine

Arvin

Lamont

Plainview

Mettler

Edison

Maricopa

Holland Creek

Tivy Valley

Kite Road South

Kite Road North

AF=Above Freezing

Next report: December 4 morning

At John Hibler Weather Forecasting, it is our goal to provide the most accurate forecasts available. Weather forecasting, unlike any other business, invites errors. Weather, by nature, is chaotic. It is our goal to be as accurate as humanly possible.