December 21, 2023
Summary: the precipitation today has been concentrated along the coast range from Fresno County south. Doppler radar has been showing what we call a train echo. That is where rain follows a similar path for more than just a few hours at a time. That’s why flood watches are out for much of the Kern County mountains. The center of circulation as of midday was located roughly 250 miles west of LAX and is moving southward. Most, if not all, the precipitation tonight will be from southern kings and Tulare counties southward. The will finally start tracking through northern Baja Monday, ending what’s been a significant precipitation produce for central California. Many locations recorded more than a half inch from this storm. Merced was our grand champion with an inch and a third. Upper level high pressure will begin to build in Friday night. Once established, it will be the grand champion. With plenty of soil moisture suddenly available, and a warm air inversion that will develop, night and morning fog will be the result from Saturday through the middle of next week. fog may persist through the day in some areas while other areas experience hazy afternoon. The next chance of precipitation will occur Thursday of next week. for now, it looks pretty insignificant as we be in the far southern edge.
Forecast: mostly cloudy tonight with a chance of showers, mainly from Kings and Tulare counties south. Partly cloudy Friday with a minimal chance of showers in kern county. Mostly clear Friday afternoon through Wednesday with areas of night and morning fog and low clouds. May become extensive Monday. increasing cloudiness Wednesday night with a chance of showers Thursday, mainly from Fresno County north.
Short Term:
| Madera 43/61/40/60 | Reedley 42/62/40/9 | Dinuba 41/61/39/59 |
| Porterville 48/62/40/59 | Lindsay 41/61/39/58 | Delano 48/62/42/58 |
| Bakersfield 49/62/45/59 | Taft 52/60/47/55 | Arvin 48/62/42/60 |
| Lamont 47/62/45/59 | Pixley 44/61/42/60 | Tulare 40/61/39//59 |
| Woodlake 45/62/49/69 | Hanford 43/62/40/59 | Orosi 44/61/39/60 |
Winds: Winds tonight through Sunday will be at or less than 6 mph with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: Rain has been training from southeast to northwest over the Kern County mountains and over the Coast Range from roughly Interstate 5 to the ocean. The center of the low is just to the west of LA. The rain will slowly move southward out of the area over the weekend. The only chance of rain Friday will be in Kern County during the morning hours. Dry weather can be expected from Friday afternoon through at least Wednesday of next week. the next chance of rain will occur Thursday of next week, mainly from Kern County north.
Frost: All locations will be 32 degrees through at least Sunday. It’s possible low to mid 30s could be evident Monday and Tuesday of next week. each set of model runs I see points to milder conditions. At any rate, there’s no chance of a freeze through at least the end of the year.