April 30, 2024
Summary A flat zone of upper level high pressure remains over California and the eastern Pacific with a westerly flow aloft. This pattern results in near average temperatures and dry conditions. Models show a low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska moving southward parallel to the Pacific Northwest then into northern California by Friday evening. Some models show the center of circulation right over California by Friday. Currently, there are many differences from one model to another in the strength and timing of this feature. The GFS model places the low right over central California Sunday. This would lead to showers and possible thunderstorms over the valley floor Saturday night and Sunday. With daytime heating, thunderstorms with small hail would be possible Saturday night and Sunday. The low will move into southern Nevada and Arizona Monday then into the Midwest by Monday night for a return to dry weather. For now it appears a zonal or westerly flow will set up Tuesday through Thursday of next week for marginally below average temperatures.
Forecast Mostly clear skies through Saturday morning. increasing clouds Saturday afternoon. Showers likely Saturday night through Sunday. A chance of isolated thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening. Becoming partly to mostly cloudy Sunday night. mostly clear Monday through Tuesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 81/45/80/47/84 | Reedley 81/47/81/48/83 | Dinuba 80/45/81/47/83 |
| Porterville 81/47/80/48/83 | Lindsay 80/44/80/47/84 | Delano 82/48/81/49/82 |
| Bakersfield 81/52/80/52/83 | Taft 78/52/77/52/76 | Arvin 82/51/82/52/83 |
| Lamont 83/50/82/51/84 | Pixley 81/46/80/49/84 | Tulare 80/45/80/47/82 |
| Woodlake 80/46/79/48/79 | Hanford 81/51/79/52/83 | Orosi 79/45/79/48/83 |
Seven Day Forecast
| Friday Mostly clear 50/84 | Saturday Increasing clouds 54/78 | Sunday Showers likely 51/68 | Monday Partly cloudy 48/70 | Tuesday Mostly clear 50/79 |
Two Week Forecast: May 7 through May 13: This model indicates a low pressure system will be off the northern California coast. The chance of precipitation will be higher than normal during this time frame with temperatures marginally below average.
Thirty Day Report: This model gives equal chances of above and below average temperatures for the month of April. The chance of precipitation is slightly above average for the month.
Ninety Day Report: As we enter the dry season, this model predicts precipitation will be above or below average. There is no real trend to grab onto, so temperatures are expected to be near seasonal average.
Winds: Winds will be mainly out of the northwest at 8 to 15 mph through Friday. Local gusts to 20 mph are possible, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours.
Rain: Dry weather will continue through at least Saturday. The risk of showers will begin to increase Saturday night through Sunday evening. It appears a low pressure system will drop southward into northwest California Friday then southeastward into central California Saturday through Sunday. At this point there are many differences on models regarding the strength of this system. For now, some are placing a cold pool of air right over central California Sunday afternoon. This pattern is always intriguing due to the possibility of thunderstorms. These storms this time of year invariably drop heavy rain and small hail. There are still plenty of model differences on the exact center of this storm so confidence levels are low. For now, I’ll just call for an increasing chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms Saturday night through Sunday evening. Dry weather will return Sunday night with dry weather for all of the following week.
Mid afternoon dew points: Low to mid 40s. Kern: Upper Low to mid 40s.
ET for the past seven days: Stratford, 1.34, Parlier, 1.30, Arvin 1.33, Delano 1.43.
Soil temperatures: Stratford 63, Parlier 67, Arvin NA, Delano 71
Average Temperatures: 78/51, Record Temperatures: 100/37
Cooling Degree Days Season. 52 +10 varies widely from location to location. courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno 9.65, Monthly 1.36
Precipitation for Bakersfield: Season: 6.73, Monthly: .78
Average Temperature this Month 62.6 +1.0 taken at NWS Hanford.
Water year season is from October 1st through September 30.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Parlier, 793 Arvin, 692 Belridge, 690 Shafter, 741 Stratford, 784 Delano 783. Courtesy UC Davis
Sunrise, 6:04 am. Sunset, 7:48 pm, hours of daylight, 13:41
NA=Not available
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 80 / 47 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 81 / 46 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 79 / 53 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 80 / 53 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 81 / 48 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 79 / 50 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 80 / 52 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / M / M /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 79 / 46 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1655 / 75 / 54 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / M / 50 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr 2024 % l.y. % ave Yearly ave
STOCKTON 0.00 13.87 109 22.87 181 12.67 13.45
MODESTO 0.00 16.75 147 19.77 174 11.38 12.27
MERCED 0.00 14.64 132 20.08 182 11.06 11.80
MADERA 0.00 9.54 94 10.83 107 10.11 10.79
FRESNO 0.00 9.65 94 17.48 171 10.23 10.99
HANFORD 0.00 8.33 109 14.48 190 7.64 8.13
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 6.73 112 9.74 162 6.00 6.36
BISHOP 0.00 4.45 108 13.66 332 4.11 4.84
DEATH VALLEY NP 0.00 3.01 175 1.06 62 1.72 2.20
SALINAS 0.00 14.00 116 13.73 114 12.03 12.58
PASO ROBLES 0.00 18.04 155 20.51 176 11.64 12.15
SANTA MARIA 0.00 17.06 134 23.18 182 12.77 13.32