December 16, 2023
Summary: Doppler radar continues to show numerous areas of light showers moving down the valley. So far, generally less than .10 has been recorded at most locations. However, the parent low is still off the southern Oregon/northern California coast. As the low slides southward parallel to the coast, more significant precipitation will occur as we will be in a better position. By Wednesday and Thursday, the center of circulation will be just to our west. Quantitative precipitation estimates are actually quite impressive. Models are forecasting between 1 and 2 inches along the entire eastern side of the valley and even as much as an inch over the valley portion of Kern County. By Thursday night and Friday, the low will be off the southern California coast, farther north than had been expected. So we’re going to go ahead and extend the chance of showers through Friday. The low will finally move inland through extreme southern California and northern Baja on Saturday. The most significant challenge over the weekend and into next week will be the potential for areas of fog. Models are still pointing towards another possible frost event over the weekend.
Forecast: Periods of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms through Friday. For Saturday through Monday, expect fog and low clouds in the mornings with sunny afternoon.
Short Term:
| Madera 48/67/47/68 | Reedley 50/68/47/68 | Dinuba 47/66/48/67 |
| Porterville 50/67/49/66 | Lindsay 48/67/48/66 | Delano 51/68/49/67 |
| Bakersfield 52/68/52/69 | Taft 53/66//53/67 | Arvin 52/69/51/68 |
| Lamont 50/69/49/67 | Pixley 48/67/47/68 | Tulare 47/67/47/68 |
| Woodlake 48/68/47/68 | Hanford 50/67/48/66 | Orosi 48/68/47/66 |
Winds: Winds will be mostly out of the east to southeast at8 to15 mph through Wednesday. Gusts to 25 mph are possible. Winds Wednesday night and Thursday will be generally at or less than 10 mph.
Rain: light showers continue to move from south to north across the valley this afternoon. The center of circulation of the main body of this storm is still well to our north/northwest. As the low slowly slides southward parallel to the coast, the more active portion of the system will move in from Tuesday night through Thursday night. high resolution model information indicates that between one and two inches of rain is possible between now and Friday, especially along the east side, north of Kern County. These latest models even spit out more than an inch of rain over the valley portion of Kern County. Dry weather will finally return to the valley Saturday. Models still show a wet pattern from the 26 through the 29, particularly over the northern half of California. We’ll continue to monitor as we move forward in time.
Frost: All locations will be well above freezing tonight. Above freezing conditions will continue through at least Saturday morning. for the third day in a row, models are showing a cold low dropping over Nevada over the weekend. Along with this feature will be colder air. Since we’re still almost a week out, predictions are very tentative. For now, though, I would say at least upper 20s and lower 30s will be possible Sunday and Monday of next week. you didn’t actually think a Christmas morning could be without frost, did you? Still nothing longer term to suggest the development of freeze conditions.