July 20, 2018
Summary: Yesterday was again very hot throughout the lower elevations of central California. Hottest locations in the valley topped out at around 107 with all locations well above the century mark. This will occur again today, but with a bit of luck, temperatures will lower into the upper 90s to the lower 100s Saturday.
The main high center is now located over Texas, causing pressures aloft over California to weaken. There is another batch of monsoonal moisture over Nevada, however the winds aloft have now turned southerly, so the bulk of this moisture will move northward just east of the Sierra Nevada. There will be enough available moisture for isolated thunderstorms over the Sierra and possibly the Kern County mountains each day through Monday.
Next week appears to be a cooker as that high over Texas moves, parking over the Desert Southwest beginning Sunday, expanding into California by Monday. Model information this morning indicates hottest locations Tuesday and Wednesday could approach the 110 degree mark. Temps will begin to relax a bit beginning Friday of next week, but will still remain above average. Most models indicate the flow aloft will not be favorable for transporting monsoonal moisture into California, so next week will be characterized by mostly clear skies and hot conditions.
Forecast: Other than occasional high clouds, it will be mostly clear through the weekend and not quite as hot. Mostly clear Monday through Friday with occasional high clouds and continued hot.
Short Term:
| Madera 102/71/99/69/99 | Reedley 104/72/100/72/100 | Dinuba 103/70/99/70/99 | |
| Porterville 105/72/102/71/100 | Lindsay 104/70/101/69/99 | Delano 105/75/100/72/100 | |
| Bakersfield 105/80/101/76/100 | Arvin 106/76/101/74/100 | Taft 104/81/101/78/101 | |
| Lamont 105/78/102/75/101 | Pixley 105/73/100/71/100 | Tulare 102/69/99/69/99 | |
| Woodlake 104/72/101/70/101 | Hanford 104/73/100/70/100 | Orosi 104/71/100/70/100 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Monday
Mostly clear 71/104 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 73/108 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 73/107 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 73/108 |
Friday
Mostly clear 70/102 |
Two Week Outlook: July 27 through August 2: This time, this model continues to show above average temperatures throughout the western U.S., including California. The position of the high will be such that the monsoon may not be as much as a factor as the high will actually block it, keeping it mainly in northern Mexico.
July: This model is indicating high pressure over the Desert Southwest will be stronger than usual. A fairly active monsoon is also indicated for periods of thunderstorms over the Sierra and hotter than average temperatures over the valley floor.
July, August, September: Like the 30 day outlook, this model is indicating we’ll have a hot summer, moving into the early fall. Above average precipitation is possible over southern California and the Sierra Nevada due to an active monsoon season with temperatures remaining generally above average for the next three months.
Winds: Winds will be generally at or less than 15 MPH through Monday and mainly out of the northwest afternoons and evenings.
Rain: Expect dry conditions for the foreseeable future.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Upper 50s to the lower 60s. Kern: Upper 50s to the lower 60s.
Humidity: Visalia: 25%/75% Bakersfield: 25%/55%
Actual Humidity July 19, 2018: Delano, 80%/25%, Porterville, 78%/14%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 80% tomorrow 80% Bakersfield: Today: 80% Tomorrow: 80%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 2.29, Parlier 2.04, Blackwell 2.34, Lindcove 1.97, Arvin 2.26, Orange Cove 2.24, Porterville 1.83, Delano 1.94, Madera Two NA. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 76, Parlier 82, Blackwell 84, Lindcove, 79, Arvin, NA, Orange Cove 80, Porterville 85, Delano 83, Madera Two, NA
Record Temperatures: 111/54. Average Temperatures: 99/67
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 996 +252. Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperatures for July so far, 84.7 +5.8
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since Oct 1, 2017 Fresno: 6.73 season. or -4.59. Month to Date: .00
Since Oct 1, 2017, Bakersfield: 3.93, or -2.40. Month to Date: .00
Water year season is from October 1st through September.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, Parlier, Arvin, Shafter, Stratford, Madera two, Lindcove, Porterville, Hours at 45 or below 45.
Sunrise: 5:56 am Sunset: 8:14 pm. Hours of Daylight: 14:18
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 103 / 70 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 107 / 78 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 107 / 66 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 106 / 69 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 107 / 81 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 104 / 70 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / 104 / 83 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 106 / 71 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1659 / 107 / 81 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 102 / 73 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: Water year Oct 1st through September 30th
Year % Last Y. % Ave. Annual ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 9.22 67 21.78 158 13.76 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 8.17 64 16.93 132 12.83 13.11
MERCED 0.00 7.06 58 16.03 132 12.19 12.50
MADERA 0.00 7.22 61 14.18 121 11.75 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 6.73 59 17.20 152 11.32 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 4.70 47 11.05 112 9.91 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 3.95 62 7.82 123 6.35 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.95 62 9.16 192 4.77 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 7.16 57 16.45 130 12.63 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 9.62 77 16.14 130 12.45 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 6.01 44 18.44 134 13.78 13.95
Next report: July 21