Projected rainfall totals for Mariposa: 0.50" to 1.00"
Projected rainfall totals for Oakhurst: 0.50" to 1.00"
Projected rainfall totals for Yosemite Valley: 1.00" to 1.50"
December 22, 2019 - The National Weather Service Hanford Office reports a storm system will impact Central California today through Monday night.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Southern Sierra Nevada above 4,500 feet and for the Fort Tejon area above 5,000 feet, including Frazier Park, Cuddy Valley, and Pine Mountain Club.
The majority of this precipitation will fall this afternoon and evening.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 428 AM PST Sun Dec 22 2019 .SYNOPSIS...Rain and mountain snow will spread across the region today through Monday along with colder temperatures and gusty southeast winds at times in some locations. Precipitation will linger over the mountains Tuesday while much of the area gets a break from wet weather. Another storm will bring a return of rain and mountain snow to the region Christmas Day into Thursday. && .DISCUSSION... A frontal system continues to slide slowly south and east toward central California. Ahead of this system, southeasterly winds are gusting strongly across much of our area. Isolated gusts over 70 mph have been recorded through the Kern County mountains, while numerous gusts over 35 mph have been measured in the extreme south end of the SJ Valley as well as the westside hills and adjacent Valley terrain. A High Wind Warning remains in effect in the Kern County mountains west of Tehachapi as the strong winds are progged to continue blowing there through 4 PM this afternoon. The Wind Advisory for the Westside Hills also remains in effect through 4 PM today. Winds are expected to decrease by later this morning in the West San Joaquin Valley zone and the Wind Advisory there will expire at 10 AM today. Models and current radar images suggest the frontal precipitation will push into northern portions of our area this morning spreading rain and mountain snow southward through the day. Snow levels will remain generally at or above 5000 ft and accumulations as much as 12 to 15 inches are expected in the southern Sierra before the precipitation comes to an end by Monday evening, A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect there through 10 PM Monday. By the time winds subside in the Kern County Mountains west of the Tehachapi area later this afternoon, snow will be accumulating generally above 5000 ft. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect there between 4 PM today and 10 PM Monday, as 3 to 7 inches of total snow is expected. Before the precipitation ends, as cooler air pushes in Monday night, some light snow will be possible near pass level at the Grapevine. In addition to the mountain snow, rainfall amounts at lower elevations will range from around 1/3 to 1/2 inch. As the trough lifts out by Tuesday, there will be just a few lingering mainly light mountain showers ahead of the next approaching low pressure system dropping out of the northeast Pacific. Models are tracking the main upper level low and the bulk of the precip on a southeastward trajectory just off the California coast. This will bring less precip to our area, with just around a tenth to a quarter inch of rainfall expected Wednesday through Thursday as the system passes. Snow levels will be lower with this colder system, down as low as 2 to 3 thousand feet. Accumulations will however be on the order of just a few inches at the higher elevations. High pressure will build over the region for the end of the week, bringing a return to drier weather. Expect some frosty mornings during this time with colder air in place. Conditions can also be favorable for development of Valley fog as the ridge builds overhead.Source: NWS
