Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS San Joaquin Valley, CA

000
FXUS66 KHNX 242104
AFDHNX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
204 PM PDT Wed Apr 24 2024


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.KEY MESSAGES...

1. A Wind Advisory has been issued for the Kern County Mountains
and Mojave Desert Slopes beginning at 5 PM this afternoon
through 11 PM Friday.

2. A few thunderstorms are possible in the Sierra Nevada this
afternoon.

3. A cooling trend will extend through Friday, bringing
temperatures just below seasonal norms.

4. The next storm system to impact Central California will be on
Friday, with mountain snow and rain in the foothills and
adjacent valley areas, along with the chance for thunderstorms
in those areas.

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.DISCUSSION...
The first of two troughs are expected to run through California
today, with a cold front attached to a low pressure system
embedded in it. This will lead to increased chances for a few
thunderstorms in the Sierra Nevada this afternoon. As with all
thunderstorms, these carry the risk for localized flooding,
small hail, and strong winds. This front will also cause
increased winds in the Kern County Mountains and on the Mojave
Slopes as it moves through, leading to strong sustained winds
of 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Therefore, a Wind
Advisory has been issued for these areas from 5 PM today through
11 PM Friday.

The second of the two troughs to impact California will come in
on Friday, which will continue the high winds in the desert,
also bringing in more moisture than the first one, leading to
light mountain snow for the Sierra Nevada, and light rain for
the foothills and adjacent valley areas. Chances for at least
0.01" of rain for the foothills on Friday are 40-45%, while
valley locations closer to the foothills have a 15-25% chance
for rain. Valley locations near the West Side Hills have at
5-10% chance for rain. Thunderstorm probabilities for Friday are
also lower when compared to today`s chances.

These two troughs one after the other will lead to a cooling
trend that will last through Friday, leading to below normal
temperatures for the region. The San Joaquin Valley is expected
to see high temperatures in the low 70`s by Friday. After these
troughs exit the area, California will come under the influence
of a more zonal pattern, which will raise temperatures to
slightly above normal for this time of year. This is expected to
continue through early next week.

The long range ensemble models are beginning to show another
trough that may come through the area that will lead to a dip in
high temperatures and increased chances for precipitation.

&&


.AVIATION...
Localized Sierra Crest MVFR conditions with afternoon
thunderstorms between 18Z and 03Z. Otherwise, VFR conditions
will prevail throughout Central California for at least the next
24 hours.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
ISSUED:  04/23/2024 14:45
EXPIRES: 04/24/2024 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...
Wind Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 11 PM PDT Friday for
CAZ331-333-334-337>339.
&&

$$

Public/Aviation/Fire Weather..........EW
IDSS/POI..............................AS

weather.gov/hanford