February 2, 2018
Summary: The latest freezing level taken earlier this morning was all the way up to 14,100 feet, which is almost a late spring/early summer type reading. Surface temperatures on the valley floor, as of 1:00 pm had already topped the 70 degree mark in the warmest locations, so we will enjoy temperatures in the upper 60s to even the mid 70s before the day is out. Visibilities this afternoon range from two and a half miles at Hanford to five miles at Bakersfield. The lousy visibility will continue indefinitely as that strong high continues to put a lid on the valley. The high will continue to be the dominant feature over the western United States and off shore through at least Friday of next week as a big blocking ridge extends from Baja to western Canada.
Of interest is a closed low which, for the second model run in a row is showing up, is projected to drop southward from Idaho and northern Nevada into southern California about a week from tomorrow. Other models continue to show the same old dry pattern and even if this did occur, this system would take an overland trajectory which rarely results in significant precipitation. It would be a colder pattern, though, and would possibly deserve monitoring for frost concerns. This far out, however, I’m taking all this with a grain of salt and for now I’ll just go with a steady forecast for at least the next week to possibly ten days.
Forecast: Patchy morning fog up the center of the valley north of Kern County and occasional high, thin clouds. Otherwise it will be mostly clear and hazy through Tuesday. Expect more of the same Tuesday night through Friday.
Short Term:
| Madera 41/71/43/72 | Reedley 42/71/43/72 | Dinuba 40/70/42/71 | |
| Porterville 41/72/42/73 | Lindsay 39/72/41/73 | Delano 43/73/44/73 | |
| Bakersfield 47/74/49/74 | Arvin 44/74/44/75 | Taft 52/73/52/74 | |
| Lamont 44/73/44/74 | Pixley 42/72/42/73 | Tulare 40/70/42/72 | |
| Woodlake 41/72/42/73 | Hanford 42/72/42/72 | Orosi 40/72/41/72 | |
Winds: Winds will be generally less than 10 MPH through Monday with near calm conditions nights and mornings.
Rain: Expect dry weather for the next week and possibly ten days.
Frost: All locations will be above freezing.
Next Report: Saturday, February 3