January 31, 2024
Summary: The current barometric pressure at Las Vegas is 30.01 inches of mercury while at San Francisco the current reading is 29.74. The reason I’m starting the summary with differences in pressure is to illustrate wind velocity over the next 12 to 18 hours. Generally speaking, the larger the pressure difference from one location to another, the more potential for winds. Currently, Bakersfield has wind gusts of 32 mph, Rancho Rd southeast of Bakersfield has 35 mph gusts, the CHP office has gusts to 35 mph, Kettleman Hills 36 mph. the potential for high winds will be with us into Thursday morning, mainly along the west side where gusts to 45 mph are possible and in Kern County where gusts to near 60 are possible at the base of the Tehachapi Mountains, westward to near Taft and Belridge. These winds will begin to die down by late Thursday morning as the main body of low pressure moves on shore. Most of the rest of the valley can expect winds tonight through Thursday morning out of the southeast at 15 to 25 mph with stronger gusts. Winds Friday through Saturday will be generally less than 15 mph.
As of the time of this writing, rain had reached as far south as Monterey along the coast and Stockton inland. Rain will begin along the far west side of the valley by sunset, spreading over the rest of the valley by this evening. Rain will continue through Thursday, breaking off into showers and possible thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening. The next impulse to ride that jet stream inland over California will arrive Thursday evening, continuing on until Friday. A lull in the action will occur Friday night through Saturday night then the next Pacific storm, also accompanied by an atmospheric river, will arrive Sunday with rain at times through Tuesday.
Forecast, Rain becoming likely along the far west side by sunset. Rain spreading over the valley this evening, possibly locally heavy at times. Rain Thursday morning, turning to showers and a chance of thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening. Rain at times Thursday night and Friday. A slight chance of showers Friday night through Saturday night. rain at times Sunday through Tuesday, locally heavy at times. Strong, gusty winds late Saturday night through Monday morning. a slight chance of showers Wednesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 52/59/44/57 | Reedley 54/60/45/58 | Dinuba 53/59/44/58 |
| Porterville 54/62/45/57 | Lindsay 52/60/44/58 | Delano 54/61/46/67 |
| Bakersfield 55/62/48/57 | Taft 54/57/46/54 | Arvin 54/62/47/58 |
| Lamont 54/61/47/59 | Pixley 51/59/44/57 | Tulare 51/58/44/57 |
| Woodlake 52/59/44/58 | Hanford 54/61/45/58 | Orosi 52/58/44/57 |
Winds: The current barometric pressure at Las Vegas is 30.01 inches of mercury while at San Francisco the current reading is 29.74. The reason I’m starting the summary with differences in pressure is to illustrate wind velocity over the next 12 to 18 hours. Generally speaking, the larger the pressure difference from one location to another, the more potential for winds. Currently, Bakersfield has wind gusts of 32 mph, Rancho Rd southeast of Bakersfield has 35 mph gusts, the CHP office has gusts to 35 mph, Kettleman Hills 36 mph. the potential for high winds will be with us into Thursday morning, mainly along the west side where gusts to 45 mph are possible and in Kern County where gusts to near 60 are possible at the base of the Tehachapi Mountains, westward to near Taft and Belridge. These winds will begin to die down by late Thursday morning as the main body of low pressure moves on shore. Most of the rest of the valley can expect winds tonight through Thursday morning out of the southeast at 15 to 25 mph with stronger gusts. Winds Friday through Saturday will be generally less than 15 mph. Of more interest to me is the period late Sunday night through Monday morning. models continue to show a powerful low a few hundred miles west of the Golden Gate and much higher pressure over southern California and Nevada. If the current surface map comes to pass, gusts to 75 mph would be possible near the base of the Tehachapi’s and 40 to 50 mph along the west side and locally elsewhere. I look for a certain set of parameters to try to outguess these winds and the parameters for early next week are a bulls-eye for a strong wind event. Keep in mind, these winds are notoriously difficult to forecast, but I would be remiss not to pass along the possibilities to you.
Rain: Rain will begin to overspread the west side of the valley by sunset, spreading across the remainder of the valley by evening. Rain will continue at times through Thursday morning. We’re anticipating a strong rain shadow with this event, so portions of the west side and Kern County will be robbed of precipitation potential. The rain will turn to showers and a chance of thunderstorms with showers continuing through Friday. A short break will occur from Friday night through Saturday night then rain can be expected at times Sunday through Tuesday. Rainfall amounts from the first event will generally range between one and two inches north of Kern County, especially along the east side of the valley. The western side of Fresno County and much of Kings County will pick up one-half to one inch of rain.
Frost: All locations will be above freezing for at least the next week to ten days.