Category: Forecast

March 9, 2020 Summary: The center of circulation of a warm Pacific storm has drifted southward. If anything, it has actually drifted a bit further off shore so rain is unlikely tonight.  the low is expected to move towards the south/central coast Tuesday.  The counterclockwise circulation around the low will spread precipitation into the valley…

March 9, 2020 Summary: Doppler radar is indicating light showers have reached the coast near Vandenberg and just to the west of San Luis Obispo.  The center of circulation is not expected to move much over the next 8 hours or so, so precipitation will not make it into the south valley until sometime tonight. …

March 8, 2020 Summary: The backside of that weak trough of low pressure is currently moving into western Nevada.  The only precipitation is over the high Sierra where it will diminish over the next several hours.   Now we turn our attention to a very large low pressure system located roughly  800 miles west of…

March 7, 2020 Summary: What a difference a day makes!  Temperatures are between 12 and 15 degrees lower than they were 24 hours ago.  The temperature at Blue Canyon at roughly 5,600 feet was 31 degrees, a full 25 degrees lower than yesterday afternoon.  The balloon soundings at Vandenberg and Oakland showed freezing levels earlier…

March 7, 2020 Summary: A weak cold front and its associated trough of low pressure are just off the central coast this hour.  Doppler radar is depicting just light scattered showers moving on shore, mainly from Monterey County north.  As the front moves across the valley this afternoon, there will be a minimal chance of…

March 6, 2020 Summary: Temperatures, as expected, are trending downward this afternoon.  Most locations are 4 to 6 degrees cooler than 24 hours ago, generally ranging in the mid 70s.  From Stanislaus County north, temperatures are only in the mid 60s as marine air is gushing through the Delta.  The latest sounding at Monterey indicated…

March 6, 2020 Summary: Upper level high pressure is beginning to shift eastward now ahead of a trough of low pressure currently off the northern California coast.  A stronger onshore flow is developing.  The last observation at Pacheco Pass had winds out of the west at 20 MPH, indicating cooler marine air is penetrating into…

March 5, 2020 Summary: As of 1:00pm, many locations on the valley floor are near the 80 degree mark and will end up in the low to mid 80s by the time all is said and done.  Temperatures are generally 2 to 5 degrees warmer than yesterday at this time.  A ridge of high pressure…

March 4, 2020 Summary: Temperatures are continuing the warming trend this afternoon as readings are 4 to 6 degrees higher than yesterday at this time with most locations in the mid 70s as of 1:00pm.  Upper level high pressure covers the eastern Pacific, off shore, and extends over California with a weak, westerly flow aloft. …

  March 4, 2020 Summary: Temperatures this morning on the valley floor are running 3 to 4 degrees warmer on average than 24 hours ago.  Sandburg at an elevation of 4,100 feet is a balmy 57 degrees, eleven degrees warmer than yesterday at this time.  The freezing level taken a few  hours ago at Oakland…