August 17, 2020
Summary: The type of searing heat we endured Sunday is just about the worse kind of situation for valley heat. The high temperature at Merced and Madera hit 111 yesterday, Fresno 112, and Hanford 109. All other locations were between 106 and 108. During the heating of the day, humidity values at most locations were between 25% and 30%, resulting in heat indices near 115.
The center of circulation of very strong upper level high pressure is near the Nevada/Utah border. A southerly flow continues which is picking up moisture from Mexico and is transporting it northward. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be a way of life each afternoon and evening this week along the Sierra Nevada with isolated cells over the Kern County mountains and deserts. This will all result in periods of mid and high level clouds from time to time.
By Wednesday night and Thursday, a marginal cooling trend will begin as a weak low approaches the northern California coast. Even so, temperatures will remain above the century mark. Over the weekend, tropical storm Genevieve will be tracking northwestward off the central and southern Baja coastline. In the meantime, upper level high pressure will have reestablished its grip over the interior west and California so we could see another round of tropical moisture affecting our region this weekend.
Forecast: Partly cloudy at times through Wednesday night and continued very hot. Mostly clear Thursday and Friday with occasional high clouds and continued hot. Variable cloudiness at times Friday night through Monday and continued hot.
Short Term:
| Madera 110/78/108/77/107 | Reedley 109/78/108/78/107 | Dinuba 108/77/108/76/106 |
| Porterville 109/77/108/77/107 | Lindsay 108/78/108/77/106 | Delano 109/80/108/79/106 |
| Bakersfield 109/85/108/84/106 | Taft 107/85/107/85/107 | Arvin 110/81/109/81/108 |
| Lamont 110/81/108/80/107 | Pixley 108/79/108/78/106 | Tulare 108/77/108/77/106 |
| Woodlake 107/79/107/78/106 | Hanford 109/80/109/77/106 | Orosi 107/76/107/76/106 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Thursday
Mostly clear 71/108 |
Friday
Mostly clear 69/102 |
Saturday
Variable clouds 74/106 |
Sunday
Variable clouds 75/106 |
Monday
Variable clouds 75/104 |
Two Week Outlook: August 24 through August 30: This model indicates upper level high pressure over the desert southwest will be the more dominant feature, resulting in at least marginally above average temperatures. The monsoon is still nowhere to be found, so dry dusty conditions will continue.
August: Typically, especially this time of year, long range outlooks by NOAA reflect the global warming madness. This model indicates above average temperatures and largely dry conditions.
August, September, October: Just like the 30 day outlook, this longer range outlook reflects above average temperatures everywhere, including California. This model does not reflect either above or below average precipitation, although as we head into September, we will have to keep a closer eye on the tropics.
Winds Discussion: Winds through Thursday will be mainly out of the northwest at 5 to 12 MPH afternoons and evenings and 3 to 6 MPH nights and early mornings with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain Discussion: California will be on the western side of upper level high pressure parked over the Great Basin through the upcoming week. Monsoon moisture will continue to work its way northward into central California from time to time. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be prevalent each afternoon and evening over the Sierra Nevada with a small chance over the Kern County mountains and deserts. This weekend, moisture from tropical storm Genevieve will be moving northwestward along the southern Baja coastline. Some of this moisture will no doubt get caught up in the southerly flow aloft and will move into central California. I wouldn’t completely rule out a small chance of isolated showers or thunderstorms over the valley floor Saturday through Monday.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 60s. Kern: Upper 50s to the lower 60s.
Actual Humidity range August 16, 2020: Delano, 94%/22%, Porterville, 80%/29%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 70%, tomorrow 70%. Bakersfield: Today: 70% Tomorrow: 70%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.74, Parlier 1.71, Blackwell Corner 1.86, Arvin NA, Orange Cove 1.86, Porterville 1.75, Delano 1.77. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 76, Parlier 82, Blackwell NA, Arvin, 80, Orange Cove 86, Porterville 78, Delano 77
Record Temperatures: 111/53. Average Temperatures: 97/63
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 1441 +298
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for August so far: 82.3 +3.2
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or -. 7.63 or -3.69. Month to Date: .T -.00
Since Oct 1, 2019, Fresno, 7.63 -3.69. 7.20, or +.84. Bakersfield, 7.20 +.84. Month to Date: .T -.01
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: 6:19, Sunset: 7:43 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:28
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 111 / 76 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 111 / 76 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 112 / 81 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 109 / 74 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / M / 72 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1600 / 107 / 80 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 106 / 76 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 108 / 76 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON T 8.35 61 18.37 134 13.76 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.94 54 13.35 104 12.84 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.54 78 13.27 109 12.20 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 7.80 122 6.37 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 46 8.47 172 4.92 5.18
SALINAS T 9.18 73 13.80 109 12.65 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.47 92 14.88 119 12.49 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.66 77 15.68 114 13.80 13.95
Next report: August 18/morning