December 23, 2022
The low clouds and fog as of midday had cleared over portions of Kern County with local clearing further north. The warmer locations in the south valley should reach 50 or a little above this afternoon due to the hazy sunshine. However, in the short term, the pattern has not changed much. Upper level high pressure is centered off the northern Baja coastline with a ridge jutting northward into the Pacific Northwest. This means the warm air inversion will be with us through Sunday, meaning where it’s cleared this afternoon, fog will re-form. Lows tonight like the last several nights will be governed by the behavior of the fog. Lows will generally chill into the 30s with a few pockets of frost out there, mainly near the foothills where the fog forms last. The air above the valley floor is fairly warm with the latest balloon sounding over Oakland placing the freezing at 12,700 feet. The high will begin to break down Sunday night, allowing the first in a series of storms to move into northern California Monday then into central California Tuesday. Precipitation estimates look healthy, especially along the Sierra Nevada where, between Monday and Friday, 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected below the snow level. Tuesday will be the beginning of an active weather pattern which will result in multiple storms moving through. These storms are evolving over the mid Pacific region, meaning mild air will be associated with them. So, after a long period of below average temperatures, temperatures will head into the 60s for much of next week.
Forecast: Fog and low clouds through Sunday with periods of afternoon clearing. Partly cloudy Sunday night. Increasing cloudiness Monday with a chance of showers Monday night. Rain likely at times Tuesday and Tuesday night with a chance of showers Wednesday. Periods of showers Thursday and Thursday night with a chance of showers Friday.
Temperatures:
| Madera 34/51/34/62 | Reedley 33/53/34/63 | Dinuba 33/51/34/60 |
| Porterville 33/53/33/62 | Lindsay 32/53/33/62 | Delano 32/53/35/63 |
| Bakersfield 38/52/41/59 | Taft 40/53/42/61 | Arvin 33/58/35/63 |
| Lamont 34/52/35/63 | Pixley 34/50/35/59 | Tulare 34/52/35/59A |
| Woodlake 33/53/35/58 | Hanford 34/52/36/61 | Orosi 33//53/34/58 |
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 Sunday. For Monday night and Tuesday, pressure differences will tighten up between the strong storm system over the Pacific Northwest and higher pressure over southern California. Gusty south to southeast winds will be a factor in the northern half of California. We will also have to watch for locally gusty winds in the extreme south valley, depending the placement of the various features.
Rain discussion: We could see measurable rain as early as Monday night. However, Tuesday seems to be a more reasonable target date. We’’ll keep a chance of showers in the forecast for Wednesday as we will be between storms. Precipitation will spread down the valley again Thursday with a chance of showers Friday. Medium range modes also indicate additional opportunities for measurable rain may arrive as we head into New Year’s.
Frost: The fog and low clouds had cleared over much of the valley, but was hanging tough in Madera, Merced, and Fresno Counties. Like the past 7 nights, overnight lows will generally be in the 30s. Fog will reform on the ground in many areas tonight, especially the south valley but if your location observes mostly clear skies for a few hours, readings in the low 30s are possible with isolated low spots briefly touching the upper 20s. expect to apply this same general rule of thumb Sunday morning as well. A westerly will begin Monday and continue for much of next week, issuing in milder air and periodic chances of rain, preventing the formation of frost.
Next report: Christmas Eve morning
At John Hibler Weather Forecasting, it is our goal to provide the most accurate forecasts available. Weather forecasting, unlike any other business, invites errors. Weather, by nature, is chaotic. It is our goal to be as accurate as humanly possible.