945
FXUS66 KHNX 032230
AFDHNX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
330 PM PDT Fri May 3 2024


&&

.KEY MESSAGES...

1. The ongoing warming trend will continue today with daytime
highs rising to 4 to 7 degrees above normal.

2. The Winter Weather Advisory has been upgraded to a Winter
Storm Warning due to an increase in expected snowfall, with 5 to
10 inches of snow expected above 5,000 feet and 12 to 18 inches
above 7,000 feet. The highest elevations above 9,000 feet are
expected to see 1 to 2 feet of snow.

3. High temperatures are forecast to cool to around 10 to 15
degrees below normal by Sunday.

4. Dry weather and a warming trend will take place Monday
through Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
A small ridge set up over California will lead to the
continuation of the warming trend that has lasted throughout the
week, with highs today 4 to 7 degrees above normal. This will
come to an end as a late season storm system is expected to
impact Central California tomorrow. A trough aloft is expected
to drop down south and bring with it a low pressure system with
a strong cold front that will sweep through the area. This will
lead to periods of light to moderate rainfall for the valley and
the Sierra Nevada foothills, and heavy snow for the Sierra
Nevada mountains above 5,000 feet. Travel will be very difficult
in these areas beginning Saturday morning.

The Winter Weather Advisory for the Sierra Nevada has been
upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning due to the increase in
expected snowfall. It will be valid from 11 AM Saturday through
8 AM Sunday. Total snowfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches are
expected above 5,000 feet and 12 to 18 inches are expected above
7,000 feet. The highest elevations, above 9,000 feet, are
expected to see 1 to 2 feet.

The cold front will come through Saturday morning, which will
lead to afternoon highs that day and Sunday to drop to 10 to 15
degrees below seasonal norms. The system will exit the area by
early Sunday morning, with ridge-building beginning right after.
This ridge will lead to dry weather and a warming trend for the
next week, leading to temperatures by next Friday increasing
into around 7 to 10 degrees above seasonal norms. Long term
ensemble models show the ridge will continue to sit over the
western portion of the CONUS through next weekend and into the
following week.

&&


.AVIATION...VFR conditions will prevail across the central CA
interior for at least the next 24 hours.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
ISSUED:  05/02/2024 15:17
EXPIRES: 05/03/2024 23:59
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...
Winter Storm Warning above 5000 feet from 11 AM Saturday to 8
AM PDT Sunday for CAZ323-326.
Winter Storm Warning above 5000 feet from 2 PM Saturday to 8
AM PDT Sunday for CAZ327>330.
&&

$$

Public/Aviation/Fire Weather............EW

weather.gov/hanford