December 29, 2022
As of midday, light showers were occurring, especially along the east side of the valley. Most locations recorded less than .10 today with a couple of exceptions. Upper level high pressure continues to be anchored roughly 2,000 miles west/southwest of LA. The storm track rides over the top of this rather flat ridge of high pressure then takes a gentle right turn directly into central California. Just off shore is an AR which extends from roughly 200 miles west of San Francisco then west/southwest over the ocean to the northeast of the Hawaiian Islands. Beginning later tonight, this river of air will invade central California with significant rain through Friday night. Between Friday night and Saturday night, high resolution estimates show Porterville, for example, picking up another 1.29 inches of rain with similar projections at other locations in the east valley. Additional rainfall information is discussed below. The high well to the west/southwest of LA is projected to pretty much remain in place over the next few days. The storm arriving tonight will have milder subtropical air associated with it. The snow level is currently 4,000 feet. That will rise to between 7,500 and 8,000 feet by Friday night, meaning heavy rain will be falling on a heavy snow pack, resulting in rising rivers and streams. Another storm will arrive Saturday through Saturday night then we’ll have a short break from Saturday night through Sunday night before the next wave arrives Monday into Tuesday and, yes, ladies and gentlemen, the next one will be here Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Forecast: Rain tonight, locally heavy at times. Rain Friday, mainly in the morning. Rain will overspread the valley again Friday night, continuing through Saturday night, locally heavy at times. Partly cloudy New Year’s Day and Sunday night. Rain likely again Monday through Tuesday, tapering off Tuesday night. Rain will spread down the valley again later Tuesday night, continuing through Wednesday, locally heavy at times. A chance of showers again Wednesday night and Thursday.
Temperatures:
| Madera 46/61/53/61 | Reedley 48/60/52/62 | Dinuba 47/61/54/58 |
| Porterville 46/60/51/62 | Lindsay 46/60/51/62 | Delano 48/61/53/62 |
| Bakersfield 49/61/54/62 | Taft 50/63/52/61 | Arvin 48/60/52/62 |
| Lamont 49/59/53/61 | Pixley 47/59/52/61 | Tulare 46/60/52/59 |
| Woodlake 48/61/53/58 | Hanford 48/61/53/60 | Orosi 47/61/53/59 |
Wind Discussion: Winds will continue to be mainly out of the southeast at 8 to 15 mph with gusts to near 20 mph at times through Friday night. Winds Saturday will increase out of the southeast at 10 to 20 mph. gusts to near 30 mph are possible, mainly from Fresno County north. Winds Sunday night and Monday will be out of the southeast at 8 to 15 mph with stronger gusts.
Rain Rainfall so far today has been fairly light, as expected. The following are precipitation totals as of 11:30 am: Bakersfield .02, Porterville, Exeter, Visalia, and Reedley .07, Hanford .26, Lemoore .09, and Merced .16.
There are two more waves of low pressure which will move on shore over the weekend. One will show up tonight and Friday with the second Friday night and Saturday. Rainfall amounts for the next 6 day period will be quite significant. Along the east side of the valley from Kern County north between 1 and 2 inches is possible. From western Merced County southward through western Fresno County between 1.00 and 1.50 is possible. The valley portion of Kern County could pick up .50 to .75. Moisture laden Pacific storms will continue to roll on shore on an average of about every day and a half or so. The timing is difficult to nail down as they evolve off the California coast then race inland. The same pattern we’ve been under with the storm pack sliding over the top of high pressure centered well to the southwest of LA will continue as it’s reflected in both the 10 day and 2 week outlooks.
Frost: Expect above freezing conditions.
Lows Tonight:
All locations will be above freezing tonight.
Next report: December 30 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.