July 7, 2020
Summary: Today will be the mildest we will see for quite some time. A weak trough of low pressure extends from western Canada southward through the Pacific Northwest with the southern limit as far south as central California. A very dry westerly flow continues in the upper atmosphere. The latest sounding at Monterey gives the marine layer a depth of 2,000 feet. The difference in pressure between the coast and the interior is now strong enough to allow a shallow intrusion of modified sea breeze into the valley. That, in conjunction with marginally lower pressures aloft, will allow highs today to back off into the mid 90s at most locations. The latest report from the Delta shows winds gusting as high as 35 MPH and 23 MPH is the wind speed at Pacheco Pass. This will increase during the course of the day with locally gusty westerly winds along the Interstate 5 corridor.
To our south, upper level high pressure is situated over northern Mexico and interconnects with another high off the southern California coast. As the week wears on, the high over old Mexico will expand northward, resulting in very hot conditions over the deserts of southern California. Temperatures on the valley floor will warm incrementally. Over the weekend, look for readings in the 101 to 106 degree range.
Also, over the weekend, the winds aloft will become southerly, allowing a marginal amount of monsoon moisture to move northward. We may see some isolated thunderstorms over the Sierra Nevada this weekend and into the early part of next week. Most models maintain upper level high pressure over the desert southwest through much of next week, as well, with possibly some moderation by the latter part of next week.
Forecast: Clear skies through Thursday. Mostly clear and hot Friday through Tuesday with occasional high clouds.
Short Term:
| Madera 93/55/97/58/100 | Reedley 94/56/97/59/101 | Dinuba 93/55/97/58/99 |
| Porterville 95/55/97/58/100 | Lindsay 94/54/97/57/99 | Delano 95/60/97/64/101 |
| Bakersfield 95/67/98/68/101 | Taft 93/69/97/72/99 | Arvin 96/62/97/64/101 |
| Lamont 95/62/97/65/100 | Pixley 94/60/97/63/100 | Tulare 93/55/97/58/99 |
| Woodlake 93/55/97/58/99 | Hanford 94/59/97/61/100 | Orosi 93/56/97/58/99 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Friday
Mostly clear 65/103 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 68/104 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 68/105 |
Monday
Mostly clear 70/104 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 67/103 |
Two Week Outlook: July 14 through July 20: This model indicates upper level high pressure will cover much of the western U.S. with the exception of the Pacific Northwest. This pattern will continue a dry southwesterly flow aloft along with marginally above average temperatures.
July: This model indicates warmer than average temperatures over the next four weeks. The usual dry pattern will prevail in the San Joaquin Valley with the chance of precipitation on any given day being almost nil. Average precipitation for the month is .01.
July, August, September: This time of year, the 90 day out look is no secret. July and August will be hot and dry while September has a minor risk of precipitation, mainly from the tropics. This out look appears fairly typical. Marginally above average temperatures are expected with near average precipitation, which is a meaningless projection.
Winds Discussion: Along the Interstate 5 corridor, local gusty westerly winds will continue today with gusts possible to near 25 MPH. Winds elsewhere will be mainly out of the northwest this afternoon at 8 to 15 MPH with locally stronger gusts. Later tonight through Friday, winds during the night and morning hours will be variable to around 7 MPH with periods of near calm conditions. Winds during the afternoon and evening will be mainly out of the northwest at 5 to 12 MPH.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 40s. Kern: Upper 30s to the lower 40s. Humidity values ranging from 15%/70% at Visalia. Bakersfield 15%/40%
Actual Humidity range July 6, 2020: Delano, 72%/17%, Porterville, 72%/11%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 100%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 2.20, Parlier 2.03, Blackwell Corner 2.28, Arvin 2.26, Orange Cove 2.23, Porterville 2.09, Delano 2.07. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 76, Parlier 78, Blackwell NA, Arvin, 79, Orange Cove 83, Porterville 81, Delano 75
Record Temperatures: 111/53. Average Temperatures: 98/64
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 731 +173
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for July so far: 78.7 +0.7
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.63 or -3.68. Month to Date: .00 -.00
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.20, or +.85. Month to Date: .00 -.00
Water year season is from October 1st through September.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, Parlier, Arvin, Shafter, Stratford, Delano, Lindcove, Porterville
Hours at 45 or below 45.
Sunrise: 5:48, Sunset: 8:20 pm. Hours of Daylight: 14:34
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 95 / 59 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 96 / 55 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 98 / 66 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 98 / 60 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 99 / 55 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 98 / 69 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 96 / 59 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 98 / 61 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 92 / 62 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 8.35 61 18.37 134 13.76 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.94 54 13.35 104 12.83 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.54 78 13.27 109 12.19 12.50
MADERA 0.00 6.02 51 11.42 97 11.74 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.63 67 11.85 105 11.31 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.62 67 9.50 96 9.89 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.20 113 7.80 123 6.35 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 48 8.47 180 4.71 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.16 73 13.80 109 12.63 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.37 91 14.88 120 12.45 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.61 77 15.68 114 13.76 13.95
Next report: July 8/morning