Category: Forecast

September 21, 2020 Summary:  A rather weak and flat zone of upper level high pressure now covers the eastern Pacific and California.  Freezing levels are typical for the time of year.  The latest sounding above Oakland indicates you have to go up to 15,500 feet.  Marginally above average temperatures will rule through Tuesday.  There will…

September 19, 2020 Summary:  Most locations are reporting a visibility of between 8 to 10 miles at this  hour, which is the best we’ve seen for quite some time.  This is courtesy of a robust onshore flow as a low pressure system drags across the Pacific Northwest and is now centered over Idaho and northern…

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the wildfires.   September 18, 2020 Summary:  Sure enough, sprinkles occurred overnight and continue this morning, mainly from Fresno County north.  The remnants of former tropical storm Karina continue to stream across California, basically from LA County on the south to the Bay Area on the…

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the wildfires.   September 17, 2020 Summary:  Mid and high level clouds are increasing from the southwest as the remains of former tropical storm Karina are now caught up in a west/southwest flow aloft.  These clouds will continue to stream inland over central California during the…

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the wildfires.   September 16, 2020 Summary:  Thick smoke continues to choke the valley this morning.  the only location reporting a reasonably decent visibility is Lemoore with a visibility of 5 miles.  Visalia and Madera are reporting just 1.5 miles, Fresno 1.75, and Porterville 2.5.  we…

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the wildfires.   September 15, 2020 Summary:  The visibility at Porterville and Madera was just 1.75 miles, Visalia has a visibility of 1.5 miles with 2 mile visibilities at Lemoore and Fresno.  The automated station at Porterville was reporting an overcast at 3,100 feet, but this…

  Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the wildfires.   September 14, 2020 Summary:  The visibility at Bakersfield and Porterville was 4 miles, Visalia 2 miles, Lemoore 3 miles, 1 mile at Fresno, and 1.5 miles at Madera.  Also, a light ash fall is evident in many locations.  This has been somewhat…

  September 12, 2020 Summary:  Visibilities this morning from Visalia south are running about 6 miles.  Further north, the visibility at Fresno was 4 miles and at Madera just a mile and a half.  The smoke over central California continues to play havoc with temperature forecasting. High temperatures the past few days have been anywhere…

September 11, 2020 Summary:  The combination of smoke and some high clouds yesterday lowered temperatures a few degrees below model expectations.  That will continue to be a challenge over the next several days.  The Mammoth Creek fire and others burning around the state will continue to result in very poor air quality and low visibility.…

September 10, 2020 Summary:  The biggest challenge in the forecast is the amount of smoke which is inhibiting solar radiation, thus lowering temperatures just a tad during the heat of the day.  It’s also keeping temperatures up just a bit during the overnight hours.  Generally speaking, mid 90s can be expected at most locations over…