December 21, 2022
If anybody was to ask me to describe what a typical winter day is like in the valley, today would be it. As of noon, visible satellite imagery was depicting a solid layer of low clouds and fog stretching from the base of the Tehachapi Mountains on the south to Redding on the north. The current temperature at Madera is 41, 40 at Bakersfield, 39 at Lemoore and Porterville and 38 at Visalia. Dew points throughout the valley are in the upper 30s. a warm bubble of subsiding air under high pressure has a shallow moist field on the valley floor. Satellite imagery also shows a few areas trying to clear in Kern County. This fog regime will last at least through Saturday. How much clearing we receive each afternoon is a roll of the dice but meteorologically speaking on this first day of winter, we can already foresee the end of the fog regime, probably later next week. the ridge of high pressure currently above us will erode over its northern flank beginning this weekend but more so after Monday. As the high breaks down, westerly winds aloft will break through. As each successive wave of low pressure breaks through to our north, each will move farther south than its predecessor. This will finally bring rain back to the valley. Currently, I believe Wednesday will be the day when wet weather returns to the valley. This will also give future opportunities as we progress closer to New Year’s.
Forecast: Fog and low overcast through Saturday with pockets of clearing in the afternoon. Areas of fog and low clouds Sunday through Monday, otherwise it will be partly cloudy. A slight chance of showers Tuesday then a chance of showers Wednesday.
Temperatures:
| Madera 35/45/38/46 | Reedley 37/45/37/46 | Dinuba 37/45/37/46 |
| Porterville 33//48/34/47 | Lindsay 32/46/35/46 | Delano 36/47/36/49 |
| Bakersfield 39/47/38/47 | Taft 40/51/39/52 | Arvin 32/45/33/47 |
| Lamont 34/50/35/51 | Pixley 36/45/38/46 | Tulare 34/45/34/46 |
| Woodlake 35/46/35/47 | Hanford 37/48/37/47 | Orosi 34/45/34/47 |
Notation: areas along the foothills and along fog banks may be colder.
Wind Discussion: Winds during the late morning and afternoons will be variable to 6 mph with periods of near calm conditions. Winds during the night and early morning hours will be light with periods of calm conditions through Saturday.
Frost: Satellite imagery is beginning to show a limited amount of clearing along the foothills, especially along the foothills. Where it does begin to clear, I look for fog to redevelop in the form of ground fog, hopefully maintaining at least slightly above conditions. worst case scenario tonight is that locations near the foothills could lower to 29 to 30 with most locations remaining in the low to mid 30s. expect similar rules of engagement Thursday though Saturday. Expect milder conditions early next week as a westerly flow breaks through.
Next report: December 22 morning
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