December 17, 2022
Lemoore, Fresno, Visalia, Porterville, Madera, and Bakersfield were each reporting ¼ mile visibility or less. those same locations were also reporting either 40 or 41 degrees. This is very similar to fog regimes we’ve had in the past. It seems unusual, however, because this is the first time we’ve seen it this season. The satellite loop is showing the usual erosion of the fog is not taking place today. Therefore, most locations will record a high in the low 40s this afternoon. Just in case you’re counting, that’s anywhere from 4 to 11 degrees cooler than yesterday at this time. Now the forecast challenge will be to try to discern whether or not this will be a multiday fog regime or an outlier. My feeling is most days for the weekend and well into next week will have at least some areas of fog, especially towards the center of the valley which will not clear. In the broad picture, the pattern will slowly evolve into one where a large high will cover the western 1/3 of the US while an arctic trough of low pressure digs southward east of the Rockies. This pattern will be slow to unfold, but once it sets up generally above average temperatures can be expected over the western US with the exception of the foggy areas while brutal winter weather invades the Midwest and east. One of the medium range models for the first couple of days after Christmas is hinting at a potential change that could, in theory, bring rain back to northern and possibly central California around the 27th or so.
Forecast: Widespread fog and low clouds. Clearing in some areas during the afternoons through Tuesday. Widespread fog and low clouds with partial afternoon clearing Tuesday night through Saturday.
Temperatures:
| Madera 30/48/30/47 | Reedley 31/46/30/45 | Dinuba 29/45/30/48 |
| Porterville 29/48/30/48 | Lindsay 28/47/28/49 | Delano 31/45/31/4;7 |
| Bakersfield 34/50/35/49 | Taft 35/54/37/55 | Arvin 32/54/32/55 |
| Lamont 33/54/32/54 | Pixley 30/47/30/48 | Tulare 29/44/30/45 |
| Woodlake 30/45/31/46 | Hanford 30/45/31/45 | Orosi 29/44/30/45 |
Notation: areas along the foothills and along fog banks may be colder.
Wind Discussion: Winds during the late morning and afternoons will be variable to 6 mph with periods of near calm conditions. Winds during the night and early morning hours will be light with periods of calm conditions through Tuesday.
Rain: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to 10 days.
Frost: It’s been a long time since we’ve seen high temperatures in the lower 40s. that will be the case this afternoon, however. Like this morning, tonight’s frost forecast will be based on a whole different set of principles than we’ve seen recently. Coldest areas will be in the foothills and/or regions right along the edge of the fog base. Those areas, will record lows down ot 26 to 28 degrees while locations further out into the valley will record readings from 30 to 35. If these numbers seem a bit odd, they area and don’t be surprised if we have a long string of these days and nights driven by fog and low clouds and not just radiational cooling. This will simply be a night by night challenge as each day will have a certain amount of clearing while others may not see any clearing whatsoever. As long as the valley is capped with high pressure, it will continue to be this way. One of the medium range models this afternoon was showing the possibility of the high breaking down around the 27 or 28 but we’ll see.
Lows Tonight:
| Terra Bella
29 |
Porterville
28 |
Ivanhoe
28 |
Woodlake
29 |
| Strathmore
29 |
McFarland
28 |
Ducor
30 |
Tea Pot Dome
29 |
| Lindsay
28 |
Exeter
28 |
Famoso
30 |
Madera
30 |
| Belridge
28 |
Delano
30 |
North Bakersfield
31 |
Orosi
30 |
| Orange Cove
29 |
Lindcove
28 |
Lindcove Hillside
af |
Sanger River Bottom
29 |
| Root creek
29 |
Venice Hill
30 |
Rosedale
31 |
Jasmine
30 |
| Arvin
32 |
Lamont
32 |
Plainview
30 |
Mettler
32 |
| Edison
33 |
Maricopa
31 |
Holland Creek
33 |
Tivy Valley
29 |
| Kite Road South
33 |
Kite Road North
29 |
AF=Above Freezing
Next report: December 18 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.