December 26, 2023
Summary: Variable mid and high level clouds continue to overrun a ridge of upper level high pressure which currently covers California and off shore waters. The base of the cloud deck is generally between 17,000-20,000 feet. Cloud cover last night was dense enough to inhibit fog formation and that may very well be the case again tonight. Visibilities as of mid day range between 3 to 6 miles. Upper level high pressure covers the eastern Pacific Ocean, extending inland over California and into the Great Basin. This high will give way Wednesday, allowing a weak trough of low pressure to move down the valley Wednesday night and early Thursday. It still appears this system will weaken to the point where only sprinkles will be possible, mainly from Fresno County north. A temporary ridge will become established over California Thursday and Friday. A strong system will move on shore late Friday into Saturday, spreading showers down the valley. This system appears to have enough dynamics for showers to spread all the way into Kern County. Following the frontal passage, more waves of energy will move from west to east into the northern half of California for a minimal chance of showers again Monday and Tuesday, mainly from Fresno County north.
Forecast: Variable mid and high level clouds through Wednesday morning. a chance of light showers from Fresno County north Wednesday night and Thursday. Partly cloudy Thursday through Friday morning with areas of morning fog. Showers becoming likely from Fresno County north late Friday afternoon. Showers spreading southward over the remainder of the valley Saturday morning. a slight chance of showers Saturday afternoon. A slight chance of showers again Sunday night through early Tuesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 39/65/40/66 | Reedley 41/65/41/66 | Dinuba 39/64/42/67 |
| Porterville 41/66/42/67 | Lindsay 38/65/40/67 | Delano 43/65/44/67 |
| Bakersfield 46/65/45/67 | Taft 51/61/50/62 | Arvin 44/66/43/67 |
| Lamont 43/67/44/68 | Pixley 40/65/42/67 | Tulare 39/64/41/65 |
| Woodlake 40/64/41/66 | Hanford 42/65/43/66 | Orosi 39/64/41/65 |
Winds: Winds will be at or less than 6 mph with periods of near calm conditions through Friday.
Rain: What is left of a weak trough of low pressure will move down the valley Wednesday night. there is a minimal chance of measurable rain from Fresno County north. For now, precipitation south of Fresno County appears unlikely. A greater risk of precipitation will arrive late Friday afternoon and spread down the valley Friday night. this system has better upper air support so locations from Fresno County north could measure a quarter to a third of an inch with locally more. Rainfall amounts south of Fresno County will likely be less than one quarter of an inch to perhaps a few hundredths in Kern County. Dry weather will return Saturday evening with another slight chance of showers from mainly Fresno County north Monday through Tuesday as weak weather systems traverse northern California.
Frost: All locations will be above 32 degrees tonight and each night for the next week. still nothing on longer range models to suggest a pattern that would result in below freezing temperatures.