March 18, 2024
Summary Central California remains under a rex block pattern. That is where a low centers over the Desert Southwest and a high develops over the Pacific Northwest and northern California. This creates a north/northeast flow over central California. This off shore flow results in downslope winds off the Sierra Nevada which creates heating and will drive temperatures a good ten to twelve degrees above average. Warmer locations will be near the 80 degree mark. The low over the Desert Southwest will weaken Thursday and will move eastward. In the meantime, a new low will develop off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. By Friday, a trough will develop from that low southward to off the coast of northern California. By Saturday, showers will spread over at least northern California and possibly further south. Along with this change will come cooler conditions Sunday and Monday. models also indicate there will be another chance of showers later next week, although it’s unclear at this time how much precipitation may develop.
Forecast Mostly clear skies through Thursday night. increasing cloudiness Friday. Mostly cloudy Friday night through Sunday with a chance of showers. Partly cloudy Monday.
Short Term:
| Madera 78/45/79/47/77 | Reedley 78/46/80/47/78 | Dinuba 76/45/78/48/78 |
| Porterville 79/45/81/47/79 | Lindsay 79/44/80/47/79 | Delano 81/50/82/50/79 |
| Bakersfield 80/53/81/53/80 | Taft 75/56/76/56/74 | Arvin 81/50/81/51/79 |
| Lamont 82/51/82/50/79 | Pixley 78/46/78/47/78 | Tulare 77/44/78/46/77 |
| Woodlake 78/45/79/46/77 | Hanford 79/46/80/47/79 | Orosi 77/44/78/46/78 |
Seven Day Forecast
| Thursday Mostly clear 45/77 | Friday Increasing clouds 44/75 | Saturday Chance of showers 44/74 | Sunday Chance of showers 43/68 | Monday Partly cloudy 42/65 |
Two Week Forecast: March 25 through March 31: This model indicates a fairly significant trough of low pressure along the west coast. Disturbances will move out of the trough and into California from time to time, resulting in occasional risk of showers and below average temperatures.
Thirty Day Report: If this model has much credence, rainfall will remain above average, especially in northern and central California, stretching into the interior west. Temperatures however, look to be marginally below average.
Ninety Day Report: This model indicates near to marginally above average rainfall over the next three months. Equal chances are given for temperatures being above or below average.
Winds: Winds will be generally favorable to around 8 mph through Thursday with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: Expect dry weather through at least Friday. There will be a slight chance of showers Friday night, mainly after midnight. Expect a continuing risk of showers through Sunday night with dry weather returning Monday. models show a predominant trough of low pressure for much of next week with possibly another chance of showers during the latter half of next week.
Mid afternoon dew points: Mid to upper 40s. Kern: Mid to upper 40s
ET for the past seven days: Stratford, .96, Parlier, .91, Arvin .89, Delano .94.
Soil temperatures: Stratford 56, Parlier 59, Arvin NA, Delano 59
Average Temperatures: 68/45, Record Temperatures: 87/32
Heating Degree Days Season. 1632 -516 varies widely from location to location. courtesy of the NWS
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno 7.04, Monthly .88
Precipitation for Bakersfield: Season: 5.11, Monthly: .28
Average Temperature this Month 55.5 -.0.1 taken at NWS Hanford.
Water year season is from October 1st through September 30.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Parlier, 793 Arvin, 692 Belridge, 690 Shafter, 741 Stratford, 784 Delano 783. Courtesy UC Davis
Sunrise, 7:03. Sunset, 7:10, hours of daylight, 12:05
NA=Not available
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced AP 153 : 74 / 46 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera AP 253 : 74 / 47 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno AP 333 : 75 / 52 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford AP 242 : 76 / 45 / 0.00 /
NLC : Lemoore NAS 234 : 77 / 43 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield AP 496 : 75 / 50 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia AP 292 : 75 / 46 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville AP 442 : 75 / 45 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr 2024 % l.y. % ave Yearly ave
STOCKTON 0.00 10.94 101 21.04 195 10.80 13.45
MODESTO 0.00 13.69 142 17.42 180 9.67 12.27
MERCED 0.00 11.80 128 18.59 202 9.20 11.80
MADERA 0.00 7.46 88 9.65 114 8.43 10.79
FRESNO 0.00 7.04 84 16.55 197 8.41 10.99
HANFORD 0.00 6.35 101 12.86 205 6.28 8.13
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 5.11 103 8.84 179 4.94 6.36
BISHOP 0.00 4.36 118 13.17 356 3.70 4.84
DEATH VALLEY NP M 2.60 169 0.96 62 1.54 2.20
SALINAS 0.00 10.61 103 12.50 122 10.28 12.58
PASO ROBLES 0.00 14.88 147 18.48 182 10.14 12.15
SANTA MARIA 0.00 12.96 120 21.04 194 10.84 13.32