January 10, 2018
Summary: The intense Pacific storm that resulted in heavy rain along the west side and lesser amounts elsewhere has raced eastward. It’s now centered near the Arizona/New Mexico border. Behind the storm is a strong northwesterly flow aloft which has banked up heavy cloud cover near the Sierra Nevada foothills and the Kern County mountains. All locations from Bakersfield to Fresno are reporting a low overcast based between 1,000 and 2,000 feet. This cloud deck will be very slow to clear as the northwesterly flow is aloft. It may be Thursday afternoon before skies begin to clear.
Upper level high pressure is already making its presence known from the eastern Pacific Ocean. This high will dominate the pattern through at least Monday night. the main challenge during this period will likely be extensive fog and low clouds during the mornings with some clearing during the afternoons.
Temperature forecasting will be a challenge as the fog will govern where temperatures end up. A weak cold front will move through northern California Tuesday, possibly spreading light showers down to Merced and Yosemite, but for now it appears the central and south valley will remain dry. The longer range outlook for later next week is indicating strong upper level high pressure remaining over California for dry conditions. The two week outlook is more optimistic for rain as precipitation will spread over the northern 2/3 of California. That is then and this is now.
Forecast: Low overcast this morning. Partial clearing this afternoon, mainly along the west side. Partly to mostly cloudy tonight and Thursday with areas of fog and low clouds. Clearing Thursday afternoon. Mostly clear Thursday night with areas of fog developing. Extensive fog ad low clouds nights and mornings with partial clearing in the afternoons Friday night through m Monday night. mostly cloudy Tuesday and Tuesday night. becoming partly cloudy Wednesday with areas of morning fog.
Short Term:
| Madera 56/45/57/43/58 | Reedley 57/45/57/45/58 | Dinuba 55/45/57/44/58 | |
| Porterville 56/47/57/43/59 | Lindsay 56/48/56/41/58 | Delano 56/48/58/44/59 | |
| Bakersfield 55/49/59/46/60 | Arvin 54/50/59/46/61 | Taft 58/50/59/49/62 | |
| Lamont 55/48/56/46/61 | Pixley 54/48/57/44/59 | Tulare 56/49/58/43/58 | |
| Woodlake 55/48/58/41/59 | Hanford 56/49/58/42/60 | Orosi 55/47/58/42/60 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Saturday
AM fog/PM sun 46/58 |
Sunday
AM fog/PM sun 45/57 |
Monday
AM fog/PM sun 48/57 |
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy 47/63 |
Wednesday
Patchy fog/partly cloudy 44/65 |
Two Week Outlook: January 17 through January 23: This model shows well above average temperatures during this period. As a westerly flow develops, the chance of precipitation is certainly better than even.
January: Overall during January this season, temperatures should range somewhat above average. This model also shows equal chances of near average precipitation over the northern half of the state but below average precip over the southern half of California. We remain between these two It forecasts, so hopefully precipitation will be near seasonal levels.
January, February, March: This model is not hopeful for above average precipitation, or even average precipitation. Overall, upper level high pressure is projected to be the most dominant feature for the next three months, resulting in average temperatures.
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 10 MPH with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to possibly 10 days.
Frost: All locations will be above freezing for the next seven to ten days and possibly longer.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 40s. Low to mid 40s.
Humidity, Visalia, 75%/100% Bakersfield, 80%/95%
Actual Humidity January 8, 2018: Delano, NA, Porterville, 75%/100%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today 10% tomorrow 40%, Bakersfield: Today 0% tomorrow 30%.
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days January 8, 2018: Stratford .24, Parlier .24, Blackwell, .30 Lindcove .27, Arvin .35, Orange Cove .29, Porterville .22, Delano .NA., Madera Two 20. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 52, Parlier 55, Blackwell 55, Lindcove, 55, Arvin, 56, Orange Cove 51, Porterville 54, Delano NA, Madera Two 53
7.2
Record Temperatures: 70/23. Average Temperatures: 54/35
Heating Degree Days this Season: 946, -354 Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperatures for January so far, 54.9 +10.9
Precipitation: Seasonal total/average/above or below average:
Since October 1, 2017 Fresno: .89 season. or -3.15. Month to Date: .48
Since October 1, 2017, Bakersfield: .13, or -2.13, Month to Date: .00
Water year season is from October 1st through September.
Chilling ours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, 525, Parlier, 560, Arvin, 497, Shafter, 627, Stratford, 568, Madera two, 776, Alpaugh, NA, Lindcove, 546, Porterville, 722. Hours at 45 or below 45.
Sunrise: 7:12 am Sunset: 5:02 pm. Hours of Daylight: 9:49
Yesterday’s Weather:
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1600 / 60 / 53 / 0.51 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1600 / 61 / 52 / 0.45 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1600 / 62 / 53 / 0.59 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1600 / 60 / 53 / 0.74 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1600 / 70 / 53 / 0.75 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1600 / 63 / 52 / 0.49 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DHM / M / M / M /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1600 / 66 / 51 / 0.53 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DHM / M / M / M /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 58 / 52 / M /
Rainfall: Season % Last y. % Ave. Annual Ave.
STOCKTON 0.66 3.47 63 8.82 161 5.48 14.06
MODESTO 0.69 3.15 66 7.31 153 4.79 13.11
MERCED 0.49 1.98 44 7.43 167 4.46 12.50
MADERA 0.38 1.31 28 5.64 121 4.68 12.02
FRESNO 0.34 1.23 30 6.99 170 4.11 11.50
HANFORD 0.58 1.68 42 4.35 109 3.98 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.74 0.87 38 3.96 173 2.29 6.47
BISHOP 0.04 0.20 10 3.58 180 1.99 5.18
SALINAS 0.38 2.10 45 6.87 149 4.62 12.83
PASO ROBLES 1.12 2.16 49 6.50 147 4.43 12.78
SANTA MARIA 1.37 1.94 40 7.63 159 4.80 13.95
Next Report: Wednesday, January 10/pm