Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS San Joaquin Valley, CA
Issued by NWS San Joaquin Valley, CA
816 FXUS66 KHNX 210648 AFDHNX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 1048 PM PST Thu Nov 20 2025 && .KEY MESSAGES... 1. Rain and snow showers continuing in the area, primarily over Kern County, through Friday morning. 2. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for the Sierra Nevada and southern Kern Mountains until 10 AM PST this morning. 3. Potential for fog developing each overnight and morning during precipitation-free periods. Increasing chances into this coming weekend. && .DISCUSSION... A low pressure system currently off the coast of central California is resulting in moisture pushing into Kern County from the south, leading to widespread precipitation that is anticipated to continue into Friday morning. Periods of intense rainfall rates may lead to localized areas of flash flooding in the Mojave Desert, especially after recent rainfall has caused normally dry soils in the region to saturate. Additional rainfall has potential to more easily runoff due to the above average precipitation in the desert areas. Meanwhile, this precipitation moving over the mountainous areas of the southern Sierra and Kern County will encounter snow levels at 5500-6000`, leading to a continuation of the Winter Weather Advisory in these areas through 10 AM Friday morning. As the system tracks south on Friday, stronger winds are expected to develop in the Mojave Desert. Ensembles give an 80 to 90 percent probability for maximum gusts to exceed 40 mph on Friday, before dropping off for the weekend. As calmer conditions set up into the weekend, the influx of moisture over the last week is anticipated to lead to the return of widespread dense fog in the San Joaquin Valley as moisture evaporates from the surface each overnight period. This may be particularly evident towards the beginning of next week, when cluster analysis projects a weak high pressure ridge to build in over the western US. && .AVIATION... 30 to 40 percent chance for LIFR conditions, primarily for the San Joaquin Valley north of Kern County between 12Z and 18Z Fri due to fog development. IFR or less conditions expected for the Sierra Nevada crests through 00Z Sat due to cloud cover. Otherwise, VFR/MVFR conditions will prevail through the next 24 hours. && .AIR QUALITY ISSUES... ISSUED: 11/20/2025 14:12 EXPIRES: 11/21/2025 23:59 On Friday, November 21 2025, Fireplace/Wood Stove Burning Status is: No Burning Unless Registered in Fresno, Kern, and Madera Counties. Burning Discouraged in Kings, Merced, and Tulare Counties, and Kern (Greater Frazier Park Area) and Sequoia National Park and Forest. && .CERTAINTY... The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is medium. The level of certainty for days 3 through 7 is medium. Certainty levels include low...medium...and high. Please visit www.weather.gov/hnx/certainty.html for additional information and/or to provide feedback. && .HNX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM PST Friday for CAZ323- 326>328-330-331-336. && $$ public/aviation...McCoy weather.gov/hanford