July 18, 2022 - The National Weather Service Hanford Office reports a few strong thunderstorms are possible in the Sierra Nevada and Kern County mountains and desert from 12:00 P.M. this afternoon until 7:00 P.M. this evening.
Dangerous cloud to ground lightning and intense rainfall rates are a couple of hazards associated with strong thunderstorms.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
118 AM PDT Mon Jul 18 2022
.SYNOPSIS...
Dangerous heat is expected in the lower elevations of Central
California today. Widespread triple digit heat is anticipated in
the San Joaquin Valley Tuesday through Thursday. Triple digit heat
is likely in most of the San Joaquin Valley Friday through Sunday.
A few strong thunderstorms are possible in the Sierra Nevada this
afternoon and Tuesday afternoon.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
An anticyclone aloft will be centered near the Four Corners region
today through Wednesday. A few strong thunderstorms are possible
in the Sierra Nevada and Kern County mountains and desert this
afternoon into this evening. There is a marginal risk (5-15%) of
excessive rainfall associated with these thunderstorms. A few
strong thunderstorms are possible Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday
evening in the Sierra Nevada. A few thunderstorms cannot be ruled
out in the Sierra Nevada, mainly along the crest, Wednesday
afternoon. Dangerous heat for much of the population is
anticipated in the San Joaquin Valley, lower Sierra foothills, and
Kern River Valley today. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect
until 9 PM PDT. Here are probabilities of maximum temperatures of
103 degrees or higher for select locations in the San Joaquin
Valley on Monday, July 18th, 2022:
Fresno - 86%
Bakersfield - 81%
Lemoore - 80%
Hanford - 77%
Visalia - 72%
Delano - 72%
Merced - 65%
Porterville - 63%
Madera - 60%
Reedley - 58%
Widespread triple digit heat will persist in the San Joaquin
Valley Tuesday and Wednesday. This type of heat can be dangerous
for heat-sensitive groups, such as the elderly, young children,
and those with chronic ailments. A Heat Advisory may be required
for the San Joaquin Valley Tuesday and Wednesday. The
aforementioned upper-level area of high pressure will move
westward Thursday and Friday, before progressing eastward into the
Central United States this weekend. A downward temperature trend
will begin Thursday. Be that as it may, triple digit heat is
likely in most of the San Joaquin Valley Friday through Sunday.
&&
.AVIATION...
MVFR or lower conditions are expected in and near isolated
showers and thunderstorms in the Sierra Nevada and Kern County
mountains and desert from 19z this afternoon until 02z this
evening. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail in the remainder
of Central California for at least the next 24 hours.
&&
.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
On Monday, July 18th, 2022, unhealthy for sensitive groups in
Fresno, Kern, and Tulare Counties, as well as in Sequoia National
Park and Forest.
Source: NWS
