May 1, 2024
Summary We remain under a flat zone of high pressure which covers the eastern Pacific then inland through California and into the Great Basin. Temperatures today will be similar to yesterday’s outcome, warming up a tad Thursday and Friday as upper level high pressure upwells ahead of a low pressure system off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. This low will break through the high, spreading showers and thunderstorms over northern California Saturday then into central California later Saturday night and Sunday. Models continue to vary on the timing and intensity of this feature. I do think showers are likely from Fresno County north with a reasonable chance of showers and thunderstorms down into Kern County. Where the pool of cold, unstable air sets up shop during the time of maximum daytime heating Sunday will determine the chance for thunderstorm development. Currently, it does appear the best shot is from Fresno County north. The low will move into Nevada by Sunday afternoon then plunge into the Desert Southwest Sunday night, ending any precipitation. models show a northwesterly flow behind this storm, so complete clearing may not appear until Monday afternoon due to upsloping against the Kern County mountains.
Forecast Mostly clear skies through Saturday morning. increasing cloudiness Saturday afternoon and evening. A chance of showers after midnight Saturday night, continuing Sunday. There is also a chance of isolated thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening. Partly to mostly cloudy Sunday night and Monday morning. mostly clear Monday afternoon through Wednesday of next week except for lingering low level clouds in Kern County.
Short Term:
| Madera 81/48/84/48/85 | Reedley 81/47/83/50/84 | Dinuba 79/47/83/50/84 |
| Porterville 81/47/84/49/85 | Lindsay 81/46/84/49/85 | Delano 82/50/85/51/86 |
| Bakersfield 80/54/84/56/86 | Taft 77/55/79/58/81 | Arvin 82/50/85/52/87 |
| Lamont 81/51/86/53/87 | Pixley 81/48/84/51/85 | Tulare 79/47/83/50/85 |
| Woodlake 79/48/83/50/85 | Hanford 81/48/86/51/85 | Orosi 79/47/83/49/85 |
Seven Day Forecast
| Saturday Increasing clouds 55/80 | Sunday Showers likely 48/68 | Monday Partly cloudy 49/71 | Tuesday Mostly clear 47/77 | Wednesday Mostly clear 49/83 |
Two Week Forecast: May 8 through May 14: 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 Saturday. Local gusts to 20 mph are possible, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours.
Rain: Models continue to vary on the intensity and timing of a low pressure system which will move through central California Saturday night and Sunday. The chance for showers will increase after midnight Saturday night and will continue Sunday. There will be a chance of isolated thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening if the pool of cold, unstable air is overhead during the time of maximum daytime heating. Rainfall amounts will likely be mostly light with most locations recording no more than a tenth or two. However, if thunderstorms occur, localized areas could pick up as much as a half inch. Dry weather will return Sunday night. For now, it appears the entire following week will be dry.
Mid afternoon dew points: Low to mid 40s. Kern: Upper Low to mid 40s.
ET for the past seven days: Stratford, 1.35, Parlier, 1.34, Arvin 1.35, Delano 1.44.
Soil temperatures: Stratford 63, Parlier 67, Arvin NA, Delano 71
Average Temperatures: 78/51, Record Temperatures: 101/38
Cooling Degree Days Season. 54 +9 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 62.7 +0.9 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, 6:03 am. Sunset, 7:49 pm, hours of daylight, 13:44
NA=Not available
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 79 / 52 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 81 / 42 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 80 / 51 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 81 / 52 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 82 / 43 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DHM / 80 / 53 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 80 / 48 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 80 / 44 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1651 / 78 / 55 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 78 / 56 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr 2024 % l.y. % ave Yearly ave
STOCKTON 0.00 13.87 109 22.87 180 12.69 13.45
MODESTO 0.00 16.75 147 19.77 173 11.40 12.27
MERCED 0.00 14.64 132 20.08 181 11.08 11.80
MADERA 0.00 9.54 94 10.83 107 10.12 10.79
FRESNO 0.00 9.65 94 17.48 171 10.25 10.99
HANFORD 0.00 8.33 109 14.48 189 7.65 8.13
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 6.73 112 9.74 162 6.01 6.36
BISHOP 0.00 4.45 108 13.66 332 4.12 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 12.04 12.58
PASO ROBLES 0.00 18.04 155 20.51 176 11.65 12.15
SANTA MARIA 0.00 17.06 133 23.18 181 12.79 13.32