Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS San Joaquin Valley, CA
Issued by NWS San Joaquin Valley, CA
064 FXUS66 KHNX 240707 AFDHNX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 1207 AM PDT Fri May 24 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... 1. Strong, gusty west winds are expected in the Kern County desert this afternoon into early Saturday morning. 2. A few strong thunderstorms are possible in the Sierra Nevada this afternoon into this evening. 3. Strong, gusty west winds are conceivable in the Mojave Desert Slopes Saturday afternoon into early Sunday morning. 4. A cooling trend is expected today and Saturday. && .DISCUSSION... A trough of low pressure will move eastward across Central California this afternoon. This trough of low pressure should provide enough lift for thunderstorm development in the Sierra Nevada this afternoon. A few strong thunderstorms are possible in the Sierra Nevada from 1 PM PDT this afternoon until 8 PM PDT this evening. The primary thunderstorm hazards will be dangerous cloud to ground lightning strikes, small hail, and wind gusts near 45 mph. Strong, gusty west winds are anticipated in the Kern County desert this afternoon into early Saturday morning. A Wind Advisory is in effect. The aforementioned trough of low pressure will progress eastward across the Great Basin Saturday. Strong, gusty west winds are possible in the Mojave Desert Slopes Saturday afternoon into early Sunday morning. A Wind Advisory may be required. A ridge of high pressure will amplify over the Western United States Sunday through Tuesday, before moving eastward Wednesday and Thursday. A cooling trend is expected today and Saturday. By Saturday afternoon, high temperatures will be around five degrees above normal for this time of year. A warming trend is anticipated Sunday through Tuesday. By Tuesday afternoon, maximum temperatures will be about five degrees above normal for this time of year. High temperatures will remain above seasonal values Wednesday and Thursday. Here are probabilities of maximum temperatures of 90 degrees or higher for select locations in the San Joaquin Valley on Tuesday, May 28th, 2024: Fresno - 86% Bakersfield - 71% Visalia - 71% Hanford - 71% Porterville - 71% Lemoore - 71% Delano - 71% Madera - 61% Merced - 56% Reedley - 56% && .AVIATION... Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible over the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada from 20Z today until 03Z Saturday. 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 2 PM Friday to 8 AM PDT Saturday for CAZ337>339. && $$ Public/Aviation/Fire Weather...BS PIO/DSS........................JPK weather.gov/hanford