September 4, 2020
Summary: This will be the last day of acceptable temperatures on the valley floor for a while. As we head into the scorching hot Labor Day weekend, upper level high pressure is building over the western states with its current center over southern Utah. Models show the center of circulation shifting further west during the weekend with the center over California Sunday and Monday. Models indicate that pressure at the 18,000 foot elevation will reach 600 decameters, which is extremely high and extremely rare. Southern California will take the brunt of the heat as temperatures perhaps surpass 120 over the desert regions. One little wild card for the valley is the amount of smoke in the air which could actually lower temperatures a degree or two. Both on Sunday and Labor Day, temperatures will reach the 110 degree mark, especially in the hot urban centers. Smoke will also mean very warm overnight low temperatures with readings around 80 in the urban centers and 70 elsewhere.
A rather vigorous low pressure system will dig southward from western Canada into the interior west Tuesday. This will weaken the high and nudge the center a bit further west off shore, setting up a cooling trend. However, it may be Wednesday or even Thursday before readings fall below the century mark.
Forecast: Mostly clear today. Mostly clear and extremely hot Saturday through Monday. Mostly clear and hot Tuesday through Friday.
Short Term:
| Madera 96/64/102/73/108 | Reedley 96/64/103/73/108 | Dinuba 95/63/101/73/107 |
| Porterville 97/64/103/74/109 | Lindsay 96/63/103/73/108 | Delano 97/66/104/76/109 |
| Bakersfield 98/75/105/81/110 | Taft 97/74/103/83/109 | Arvin 98/69/105/77/111 |
| Lamont 97/69/104/75/110 | Pixley 97/65/103/75/108 | Tulare 96/63/101/73/107 |
| Woodlake 96/64/102/72/108 | Hanford 96/64/103/74/108 | Orosi 95/62/101/73/107 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Monday
Mostly clear 75/108 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 73/105 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 69/102 |
Thursday
Mostly clear 64/98 |
Friday
Mostly clear 64/97 |
Two Week Outlook: September 11 through September 17: This model indicates an amplified pattern with a big high over the western U.S. and a cool trough of low pressure east of the Rockies. This regime will keep temperatures above average with dry conditions.
September: This model is indicating basically the western half of the United States will have above average temperatures, continuing the trend of the summer season into the early fall. This model shows near average precipitation, which is minimal at best anyway.
September, October, November: This model always indicates above average temperatures for the western U.S. and this time around is no exception. As we head into the autumn season this model is indicating there will be equal chances of above or below precipitation.
Winds Discussion: Winds through Monday 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: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Mid to upper 50s Kern: Mid to upper 50s.
Actual Humidity range September 1, 2020: Delano, 99%/25%, Porterville, 93%/26%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 100%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.65, Parlier 1.52, Blackwell Corner 1.78, Arvin 1.86, Orange Cove 1.65, Porterville 1.45, Delano 1.54. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 76, Parlier 78, Blackwell NA, Arvin, 80, Orange Cove NA, Porterville 76, Delano 74
Record Temperatures: 107/51. Average Temperatures: 94/61
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 1776 +412
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for September so far: 79.5 +3.5
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or -. 7.63 or -3.70. Month to Date: .00 -.00
Since Oct 1, 2019, Fresno, 7.63 -3.69. 7.20, or +.84. Bakersfield, 7.20 +.81. 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: 6:34, Sunset: 7:20 pm. Hours of Daylight: 12:53
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 95 / 60 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 95 / 58 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 95 / 67 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 95 / 64 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 97 / 62 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1700 / 95 / 69 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 91 / 61 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1627 / 95 / 70 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 95 / 64 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DHM / M / M / M /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 93 / 60 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 8.35 61 18.37 133 13.77 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.94 54 13.35 104 12.85 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.54 78 13.27 109 12.21 12.50
MADERA 0.00 6.02 51 11.42 97 11.77 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.63 67 11.85 105 11.33 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.62 67 9.50 96 9.93 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.20 113 7.80 122 6.39 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 45 8.47 170 4.98 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.18 73 13.80 109 12.66 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.47 91 14.88 118 12.56 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.66 77 15.68 114 13.81 13.95
Next report: September 5/morning