July 21, 2020
Summary: There are two benign features this morning in the upper atmosphere. The first is a weak upper low over southern Nevada, while the second is another upper low off the northwest California coast. The flow aloft is out of the west/southwest, however there is a line of demarcation along the summit of the Sierra Nevada which will trigger isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms through Thursday.
The low off the north coast will move inland Wednesday through Thursday The combination of slightly higher pressures aloft and a deepening marine layer will lower temperatures into the mid 90s Wednesday through Friday. Currently, the marine layer is at 1,800 feet. Winds in the delta were out of the southwest sustained at 20 MPH, so some of that modified sea breeze will begin to affect the valley from Merced north today and the remainder of the valley Wednesday through Thursday.
By Friday, the low will turn into a weak trough and will move into the interior west. This will allow pressures to rise marginally by early next week. Most locations will move into the lower triple digit range as high pressure over the desert southwest links up with another high off the southern California coast.
Forecast: Clear skies through Friday. Mostly clear Friday night through Tuesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 95/59/94/57/95 | Reedley 97/61/95/59/95 | Dinuba 96/60/95;58/93 |
| Porterville 98/61/96/60/94 | Lindsay 97/61/95/60/93 | Delano 98/65/95/62/95 |
| Bakersfield 99/70/96/66/95 | Taft 98/72/96/67/95 | Arvin 100/66/96/67/95 |
| Lamont 100/66/97/64/95 | Pixley 98/64/95/61/94 | Tulare 97/62/95/60/94 |
| Woodlake 97/62/95/59/93 | Hanford 98/63/95/60/94 | Orosi 96/61/94/58/93 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Friday
Mostly clear 59/95 |
Saturday
Mostly clear 61/96 |
Sunday’
Mostly clear 63/100 |
Monday
Mostly clear 64/101 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 65/102 |
Two Week Outlook: July 25 through July 31: This model is indicating California will be sandwiched between low pressure over the Pacific Northwest and upper level high pressure over the Desert Southwest. Typically, this results in a dry southwesterly flow and near 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: Winds today will generally be out of the northwest at 5 to 12 MPH. Winds late tonight and at times through ‘Thursday will be out of the northwest at 10 to 15 MPH. Gusts to 25 MPH are possible along the west side, especially along the Interstate 5 corridor. Winds Friday will decrease to 5 to 12 MPH with locally stronger gusts.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Upper Mid to upper 50s. Kern: Low to mid 50s.. Humidity values ranging from 25%/75% at Visalia. Bakersfield 20%/55%
Actual Humidity range July 20, 2020: Delano, 69%/29%, Porterville, 76%/22%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 90%, tomorrow 90%. Bakersfield: Today: 90% Tomorrow: 90%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 2.06, Parlier 1.97, Blackwell Corner 2.35, Arvin 2.24, Orange Cove 2.14, Porterville 2.05, Delano 1.90. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 78, Parlier 81, Blackwell NA, Arvin, 81, Orange Cove 86, Porterville 84, Delano 77
Record Temperatures: 112/56. Average Temperatures: 99/65
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 973 +214
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for July so far: 81.0 +2.0
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.63 or -3.69. Month to Date: .00 -.01
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: 5:57, Sunset: 8:13 pm. Hours of Daylight: 14:17
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 95 / 66 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 98 / 64 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 99 / 72 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 97 / 66 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 100 / 64 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 100 / 72 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 97 / 65 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 98 / 66 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 94 / 60 / 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 11.75 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.63 67 11.85 105 11.32 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.62 67 9.50 96 9.91 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.20 113 7.80 123 6.35 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 47 8.47 177 4.79 5.18
SALINAS M M M M M M 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 13.78 13.95
Next report: July 22/morning