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Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS San Joaquin Valley, CA

000
FXUS66 KHNX 190708
AFDHNX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
1208 AM PDT Fri Apr 19 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...
1. A few strong thunderstorms are possible in the Sierra Nevada
this afternoon into this evening.

2. Strong northwest wind gusts are expected in the Mojave Desert
Slopes this afternoon into early Saturday morning.

3. High temperatures will remain above seasonal values today
through Monday.

4. A cooling trend is expected Tuesday through Thursday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
A trough of low pressure will pass across Central California
this afternoon. This trough of low pressure will progress
eastward into the Great Basin tonight. A few strong
thunderstorms are conceivable in the Sierra Nevada from 2 PM PDT
this afternoon until 7 PM PDT this evening. The primary
thunderstorm hazards will be dangerous cloud to ground lightning
strikes, small hail, and wind gusts near 45 mph. Northwest wind
gusts as high as 50 mph are expected in the Mojave Desert Slopes
from 5 PM PDT this afternoon until 4 AM PDT early Saturday
morning. A Wind Advisory is in effect. A ridge of high pressure
will build northward along the west coast of the United States
Saturday through Monday. The warmest day in the next seven days
should be Monday. High temperatures Monday afternoon will be
around ten degrees above normal for this time of year. Here are
probabilities of maximum temperatures of 88 degrees or higher
for select locations in the San Joaquin Valley on Monday, April
22nd, 2024:

Delano - 71%
Bakersfield - 66%
Lemoore - 66%
Fresno - 61%
Hanford - 56%
Porterville - 56%
Visalia - 51%
Madera - 26%
Reedley - 26%
Merced - 11%

An upper-level area of low pressure will approach the west coast
of the United States Tuesday. This cyclone aloft should pass
eastward across Central California Wednesday. Any precipitation
associated with this atmospheric disturbance should be confined
to the Sierra Nevada north of Tulare County Wednesday. A trough
of low pressure will move southeastward over Northern
California. Precipitation associated with this trough of low
pressure may overspread Central California Thursday afternoon.
Strong, gusty winds are possible in the Kern County desert
Thursday. A Wind Advisory may be required. A cooling trend is
expected Tuesday through at least Thursday. By Thursday
afternoon, high temperatures should be around five degrees below
normal for this time of year.

&&

.AVIATION...
MVFR visibilities, with local IFR visibilities, are expected in
portions of the San Joaquin Valley from 11Z until 15Z this
morning due to mist. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail
across Central California through at least the next 24 hours.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
None.

&&

.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...
Wind Advisory from 5 PM Friday to 4 AM PDT Saturday for CAZ338.

&&

$$

Public/Aviation/Fire Weather...BS
PIO/DSS........................JPK

weather.gov/hanford