March 24, 2023 pm
Satellite imagery shows upslope clouds have developed in the south valley. Pressure is still lower over the Desert Southwest than they are off shore which is generating northwest winds gusting to 26 mph at Lemoore, 25 at Merced, are generally in the 10 to 20 mph category elsewhere. Weak upper level high pressure will bulge in from the west over the weekend for mostly clear skies and light wind.. by midday Monday, a rapidly intensifying low will be dropping southward near the California/Oregon border. This system is projected to move southward as a coastal hugger until it finally moves into southern California Tuesday night and Wednesday. This system will generate substantial precipitation late Monday night through Wednesday night. Another two feet of snow will be the result in the mountains with heavy rain in the foothills. Strong differences in pressure will be evident by late Monday night between the northern California coast and southern California. Winds will be particularly brisk along the west side of the valley and possibly near the base of the Tehachapi Mountains Tuesday and Tuesday night. Models show the back side of the low will be slow to clear out so it’s possible a few showers could linger into Thursday morning. A very weak wave of low pressure will move through the following Friday for a chance of showers over the mountains. Otherwise, a drying trend wll be dominant.
Forecast: Partly cloudy south of Fresno, otherwise mostly clear tonight. Mostly clear Saturday through Monday. Increasing cloudiness Monday night. Rain at times Tuesday through Wednesday. Showers Wednesday night. A chance of a few lingering showers Thursday morning. Partly cloudy Thursday afternoon through Friday.
Temperatures:
| Madera 33/57/33/58 | Reedley 34/57/33/59 | Dinuba 31/57/32/58 |
| Porterville 32/58/33/59 | Lindsay 31/58/32/59 | Delano 34/57/33/58 |
| Bakersfield 38/57/38/59 | Taft 40/57/38/58 | Arvin 35/60/34/60 |
| Lamont 35/59/35/60 | Pixley 32/57/33/58 | Tulare 31/58/32/59 |
| Woodlake 34/57/33/58 | Hanford 34/59/34/60 | Orosi 32/58/32/58 |
Wind Discussion: Winds through early this evening will be mainly out of the northwest at 10 to 20 mph with local gusts to 25 mph. winds will decrease this evening, becoming light to near calm by midnight. Winds Saturday through Monday will be variable to 12 mph afternoons and evenings and generally less than 6 mph during the night and morning hours. Winds Monday night will be out of the southeast at 8 to 15 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph Tuesday with stronger gusts.
Rain: Dry weather will continue through Monday night. Yet another significant rain event will get revved up early Tuesday, probably reaching Merced County by sunrise then spreading over the remainder of the valley later Tuesday morning through Tuesday night. Expect showers Wednesday and Wednesday night with a chance of isolated thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening. Lingering showers cannot be ruled out through Thursday morning, especially in the south valley. Expect dry weather Friday through next weekend. Rainfall amounts still appear to be in the .50 to one=inch totals on the east side north of Kern County, from one quarter to one half inch on the west side and over the valley portion of Kern County.
Frost: The air mass is cold enough and dew points are low enough to allow readings to fall into the low to mid 30s Saturday through Monday mornings. There is an outside chance a few river bottom locations will chill to 29 to 30 for brief durations. Readings next week after Monday look to be above freezing, however we may see readings next Friday through the weekend at mid to upper 30s.
Lows Tonight:
| Terra Bella
32 |
Porterville
32 |
Ivanhoe
31 |
Woodlake
33 |
| Strathmore
32 |
McFarland
33 |
Ducor
Af |
Tea Pot Dome
32 |
| Lindsay
31 |
Exeter
31 |
Famoso
Af |
Madera
Af |
| Belridge
31 |
Delano
Af |
North Bakersfield
Af |
Orosi
32 |
| Orange Cove
Af |
Lindcove
31 |
Lindcove Hillside
Af |
Sanger River Bottom
29 |
| Root creek
32 |
Venice Hill
32 |
Rosedale
Af |
Jasmine
Af |
| Arvin
Af |
Lamont
Af |
Plainview
32 |
Mettler
Af |
| Edison
Af |
Maricopa
Af |
Holland Creek
32 |
Tivy Valley
af |
| Kite Road South
32 |
Kite Road North
Af |
AF=Above Freezing
Next report: March 25 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.