High Wind Warning 14, NWS Hanford, CA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
1258 PM PST Sat Nov 30 2019

.SYNOPSIS...
An approaching warm and wet storm system will bring heavy snow to
the Sierra Nevada, heavy rain to the foothills, and moderate rain
to the San Joaquin Valley starting Saturday afternoon through
Monday afternoon. The pattern will remain active across the
region, as another system will effect the area on Tuesday into
Wednesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Satellite analysis this morning shows a broad area of deep
moisture overrunning the cold air ahead of another winter storm.
The associate low/trough will likely remain offshore so for
several days which will keep the area in the warm sector for an
extend period of time. As the mid level warm air slides in over
the next 24 hours or so snow levels will rise up to around 7kft.

The atmospheric river axis is favorable for the northern half of
the forecast area as the initial closed low pumping the moisture
our way sits west of the Bay Area. Not expecting too much
precipitation south of Fresno in the next couple of days, but
current radar analysis does have a broad area of light
precipitation moving across most of the Central Coast. This will
bring some light to moderate valley rain and mountain snow to the
area. Still, the main focus will be on the atmospheric river.

The heaviest precipitation will occur overnight into tomorrow
night. An area of concern, the Ferguson/Briceburg burn areas, sits
right in the path of this moisture/precipitation which bring an
elevated concern of flash flooding. A flash flood watch is in
effect for this area and the rest of the Central Sierra below 7kft.
QPF totals for this area are expected to be around 3 inches by
late Monday, with light to moderate rainfall rates expected
throughout that time.

Above 7kft snow will be focus, mainly north of the Kings River
where the aforementioned moisture tap will be in place. North of
the Kings river snow totals of two to five feet, while south of
the river things will be much lighter. A winter storm warning is
in effect for the Central Sierra Nevada above 7kft through Monday
evening.

There is a slight threat of snow and/or freezing rain across the
Kern County Mountains which could impact mountain roadways. The
freezing rain threat is quite low and restricted to the late
evening and early morning hours when surface temperatures will
linger around freezing in a few low lying areas. Air just off the
surface will be quite warm which will limit ice accumulations for
the most part. Downslope winds in the south valley and mountains
will also work to mix down the warmer air aloft.

Mid week the low pressure off the west coast will finally work its
way onshore across SoCal which will bring a brief period of
drying before the next cold system drops down late week. Stay
tuned.

&&

.AVIATION...
Local IFR visibilities in mountain obscurations along the Sierra
Nevada through 18Z Sunday. Light precipitation will continue to move
into the area, and will increase in coverage overnight into
Sunday morning. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail for 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
an/or to provide feedback.

&&

.HNX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch from 4 PM PST this afternoon through Monday
afternoon for CAZ190>194.

Winter Storm Warning from 4 PM this afternoon to 4 PM PST Monday
for CAZ192>194.

Wind Advisory from 4 PM this afternoon to 4 PM PST Sunday for
CAZ197.

Wind Advisory from 4 PM this afternoon to 10 AM PST Sunday for
CAZ179.

&&

Meadows

weather.gov/hanford