High Wind in California, November 18, 2020

Area Forecast Discussion...Updated
National Weather Service Hanford CA
329 PM PST Tue Nov 17 2020

Updated Air Quality Issues section

.SYNOPSIS...
A storm system will bring rain and higher elevation snow to the area
through Wednesday. The highest precipitation totals will remain in
the Sierra Nevada north of Tulare county. Light showers with minor
accumulations are also possible in the valley. Cooler than average
temperatures will continue across the district into the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Winds have steadily decreased this afternoon along the eastern
coastal range, as well as throughout the Tehachapi mountains. These
strong downsloping winds off the Tehachapi's have raised afternoon
temperatures into the mid-80s in Kern county. As of this writing,
the current temperature at Bakersfield Meadows is 86 degrees. If
verified, this would set a new record high temperature, breaking the
old record of 84 degrees set back in 2008.

The approaching storm system will begin to effect the northern
half of the district later this evening as the cold front moves
into the area. Light showers will reach Merced county later
tonight, eventually reaching the Fresno/Kings county area by the
early morning hours. There is a slight chance of showers into Kern
county, but the majority of precipitation within the valley will
remain to the north. Totals accumulations in the valley for this
system will range between 0.10" to 0.25" in eastern Fresno county
into Merced county. General amounts throughout the rest of the
valley will be between a trace to less than 0.10".

The majority of the heavy precipitation will remain confined to
the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains. There is a healthy
supply of moisture for this system. The latest NAEFS is indicating
that the mean integrated water vapor transport (IVT) is in the
99th percentile maximum compared to climatology. There is also
strong upslope flow, which will enhance orographical lift. For
this reason, I have slightly increased precipitation and snowfall
amounts in the Sierra. A Winter Weather Advisory will be in
effect for the Central Sierra through Wednesday afternoon.

After this current system exits the area, a cool zonal flow will
set up across the region into Thursday. A weak short wave trough
will move through the region on Friday with another short wave
will move through the region this weekend. This will maintain a
cooler than average temperatures for the region, but with little
to no precipitation.

&&

.AVIATION...
Mountain obscuration in precipitation and clouds over the Sierra
after 08z Wednesday. Light scattered showers are also possible in
the southern San Joaquin valley between 07Z Wed through 15Z Wed.
Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail the next 24 hours.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
Please see SFOAQAHNX for an Air Quality Alert.

On Wednesday, November 18th, 2020, fireplace/wood stove burning
status is: no burning unless registered in Fresno, Kern, and Madera
Counties. Further information is available at Valleyair.org.

&&

.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 Weather Advisory from 4 PM PST this afternoon until 4 PM PST
Wednesday afternoon for CAZ192.

&&

public...CMC
aviation....Molina

weather.gov/hanford