Wind Advisory 47, NWS Hanford, CA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
424 PM PST Wed Nov 30 2022

.UPDATE: Updated air quality issues section.

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.SYNOPSIS...
The next storm system will be responsible for major winter storm
impacts in the Sierra Nevada and widespread, beneficial rain in
the San Joaquin Valley Thursday and Thursday night. There will be
a brief break in precipitation chances Friday, prior to another
storm system impacting Central California this weekend with
mountain snow and valley rain.

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.DISCUSSION...
An Eastern Pacific trough of low pressure will approach the west
coast of the United States tonight. This trough of low pressure
will move eastward across Central California Thursday afternoon
into Thursday evening. Two to three feet of snow is likely in the
Sierra Nevada above 7,000 feet Thursday and Thursday night. One to
two feet of snow is probable in the Sierra Nevada from 5,000 feet
to 7,000 feet Thursday and Thursday night. Three to six inches of
snow is likely in the Sierra Nevada from 4,000 feet to 5,000 feet
Thursday and Thursday night. One to three inches of snow is
possible in the Sierra Nevada foothills from 2,000 feet to 4,000
feet Thursday night. An inch or less of snow is possible along
Interstate 5 over Tejon Pass and along Highway 58 over Tehachapi
Pass late Thursday night into Friday morning.

As far as rain is concerned, one quarter of an inch to one half of
an inch of rain is possible in the southern portion of the San
Joaquin Valley Thursday and Thursday night. One half of an inch to
one inch of rain is conceivable in the remainder of the San
Joaquin Valley Thursday and Thursday night. One to two inches of
rain is possible in the Sierra Nevada foothills, below the snow
line, Thursday and Thursday night. Precipitation rates will be
highest Thursday evening.

Short wave ridging is expected Friday ahead of the next storm
system this weekend. This storm system is also formidable, but a
little less wet than the storm system Thursday and Thursday night.
Be that as it may, Winter Storm Watches will likely be required
for the Sierra Nevada.

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.AVIATION...
VFR conditions will prevail this afternoon into this evening. IFR
conditions, with mountain obscurations, will begin in the Sierra
Nevada late tonight. MVFR conditions are likely in the San Joaquin
Valley from late Thursday morning through Thursday evening.

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.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
On Thursday December 1 2022, Fireplace/Wood Stove Burning Status
is: No Burning Unless Registered in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera,
and Tulare Counties. Burning Discouraged in Merced County, and
Kern (Greater Frazier Park Area) and Sequoia National Park and
Forest.

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.CERTAINTY...

The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is high.
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.

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.HNX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Storm Warning from 4 AM Thursday to 4 AM PST Friday for
CAZ323-326>330.

Winter Weather Advisory from 10 AM Thursday to 4 AM PST Friday
for CAZ331.

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

weather.gov/hanford