High Wind and Strong Wind in California, December 31, 2018

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley - Hanford CA
407 AM PST Mon Dec 31 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
Dry conditions and cooler than normal temepratures will continue
through end of the week, although breezy to windy conditions will
occur late today into New Year's Day, especially over mountain
and foothill locations. A system approaching the west coast will
bring a chance of precipitation next weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
A trough of low pressure dropping down through the Great Basin
will bring a dry cold front through the region this morning. This
front is moving an area of low clouds south through the San
Joaquin Valley this morning. Some of these clouds will continue
over the area through the afternoon, especially on the east side
and south end of the Valley.

The trough will produce a strong pressure gradient over the
Sierra Nevada today through Tuesday, accompanied by a 100kt
northeasterly jet. This will result in strong gusty northeast to
east winds over the Sierra, primarily north of Kings Canyon by
late this afternoon and continuing through Tuesday morning with
gusts of 50 to 60 mph. The winds will also funnel down the
favored canyons into the foothills, especially in the Northfork
and Oakhurst areas where gusts could reach 40 mph. The high wind
watch has been replaced with wind advisories for these areas.

In addition to the winds, the trough is also bringing a
reinforcing shot of cold air into the region. This will result in
below freezing temperatures in the San Joaquin Valley with areas
of frost early Tuesday morning and again early Wednesday morning.
The colder morning looks like it will be Wednesday morning, where
temperatures could dip below 27 degrees in a few locations.

A ridge of high pressure will be the dominate weather feature for
Thursday and Friday for dry weather and moderating temperatures.
Areas of frost will still be possible in the San Joaquin Valley.

A trough of low pressure will approach the west coast Saturday,
then move across the region Sunday. There are some differences in
timing between the models, but all are bringing a chance of
precipitation to central California. The precipitation could start
as early as Saturday afternoon, but it looks like the bulk of it
will come Saturday night and Sunday with a slight chance of
showers continuing on Monday.

&&

.AVIATION...
Areas of MVFR with localized IFR conditions in mist/fog for the
San Joaquin Valley through 18z Monday. Gusty easterly winds up to
50 knots over the Sierra crest from Yosemite to Kings Canyon after
00z Tuesday. Otherwise...VFR conditions will prevail over 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...
Wind Advisory from 4 PM this afternoon to 10 AM PST Tuesday
CAZ096.

Wind Advisory from 4 PM this afternoon to 10 AM PST Tuesday
CAZ093.

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avn/fw...DCH
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