March 18, 2021
A west/southwest flow aloft continues to spread cloud cover in ahead of a low pressure system located off the northwest Oregon coast. As the trough sags southward today through Friday into northern and central California, light showers will spread southward. The main dynamics of this storm will remain well to our north. Unlike the last system, the pool of cold air will remain in the Pacific Northwest, so even though temperatures will fall to below average over the weekend, they’ll still be reasonably pleasant for the latter part of March.
A baggy trough of low pressure will remain over the western states, including California, through Sunday. That will add enough lift to the atmosphere for a chance of light showers over the higher elevations of the southern Sierra Nevada this weekend. After Friday night, the chance of rain or showers over the valley floor will have ended.
Beginning Monday, upper level high pressure over the eastern Pacific will build into Oregon and California. This will put us under the northeast sector of the high with a northwest flow aloft. This will keep temperatures somewhat below average.
Most models for Wednesday and Thursday project a low will move through the Pacific Northwest then into the Great Basin as an inside slider. Showers could effect the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada at midweek, but no active weather is expected over the valley floor.
Forecast: mostly cloudy skies through Friday night. light showers will become likely tonight through Friday with a chance of showers Friday night. Variable cloudiness Saturday through Sunday. Partly cloudy Sunday night. Mostly clear Monday through Wednesday. Partly cloudy Wednesday night and Thursday.
Short Term:
| Madera 71/50/64/42/63 | Reedley 72/48/65/43/64 | Dinuba 71/47/65/43/63 |
| Porterville 73/48/69/43/64 | Lindsay 71/47/67/43/63 | Delano 73/50/67/47/62 |
| Bakersfield 75/53/70/49/62 | Taft 72/55/65/47/62 | Arvin 74/50/68/47/62 |
| Lamont 73/48/70/47/62 | Pixley 73/48/65/43/64 | Tulare 71/48/65/41/63 |
| Woodlake 71/48/63/42/64 | Hanford 71/50/63/46/63 | Orosi 71/47/64/42/64 |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Sunday
Partly cloudy 39/63 |
Monday
Mostly clear 40/66 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 42/68 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 41/71 |
Thursday
Partly cloudy 45/66 |
Two Week Outlook: March 25 through March 31: Don’t expect much in the way of precipitation during this time frame. Models show a generally weak zone of high pressure over California and off shore. Temperatures will likely be marginally above average.
March: This model indicates the Pacific Northwest and northern California will have below average temperatures for the month while just the opposite will be true for southern California and the Desert Southwest. Central California is between these two zones, theoretically experiencing near average temperatures and drier than average conditions.
March, April, May: As usual, this model shows California and most of the country with above average temperatures. This same model indicated pretty much the same for the current month of February which will go down as one of the coldest February on record. Precipitation over the next 90 days should run below average.
Winds Discussion: Winds today will be generally out of the southeast at 5 to 12 MPH. Winds later tonight and at times through Sunday, winds will be mainly out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH. Stronger gusts are possible, mainly from Fresno County north and along the west side.
Rain Discussion: Light showers will spread over the valley tonight with the risk of light showers continuing well into Friday night. this is by no means a major storm. It’s possible that, in Fresno and Madera Counties, a tenth or two could be measured with locally higher amounts. In the south valley, upwards to .10 is possible with locally more, especially near the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Dry weather can be expected Saturday through at least the middle of next week and, if models are correct, well into the following weekend.
Frost Discussion: Expect above freezing conditions for the next seven to ten days, at least.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Mid to upper 40s. Low to mid 40s.
Actual Humidity Range Yesterday: Delano, 94%/39% Porterville, 99%/40%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 10%, tomorrow 20%. Bakersfield: Today: 20% Tomorrow: 9%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days:. Stratford .74, Parlier .73, Arvin .82, Orange Cove .66, Porterville .71, Delano .75. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 54, Parlier 55, Blackwell 52, Arvin, 56, Orange Cove 55, Porterville 55, Delano 50.
Record Temperatures: 87/32. Average Temperatures: 68/43
Heating Degree Days This Season: 2030. Varies widely from location to location. courtesy of the NWS
Average Temperature for this month So Far: 51,4 -3.2 courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno, 6.02 or -2.89 or 68% of average. Month to Date: .91 or -.31
Precipitation for Bakersfield, Season, 2.32, +or- -2.76 or 46% of average. Month to date .51 or -.21
Water year season is from October 1st through September 30.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, 982, Parlier, 1128, Arvin, 882, Belridge, 1029, Shafter, 1008, Stratford, 1082, Delano, 1157, Porterville, 1108
Hours at 45 or below 45. Courtesy UC Davis
Sunrise: 7:03 am Sunset: 7:10 Hours of Daylight: 12:04
Yesterday’s Weather
MCE : Merced 153 : DHM / 59 / M / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 57 / 33 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 56 / 38 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 57 / 34 / 0.01 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 60 / 31 / T /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DHM / 58 / 41 / 0.08 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 56 / 37 / T /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / 35 / 34 / M /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 58 / 38 / 0.05 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1651 / 62 / 35 / M /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / M / 35 / M /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.60 67 7.05 62 11.33 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.95 67 5.34 52 10.35 13.11
MERCED 0.00 6.80 69 M M 9.79 12.50
MADERA 0.00 M M M M 9.53 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 6.02 68 M M 8.91 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 3.86 48 M M 7.97 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 2.32 46 M M 5.08 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 1.62 42 1.73 45 3.86 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 5.50 53 7.12 69 10.39 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 6.53 61 8.76 82 10.62 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 6.82 60 7.57 66 11.44 13.95
Next report: March 18/pm