Mariposa High Temp for Saturday 50 Degrees and Sunday 43 Degrees
Oakhurst High Temp for Saturday 50 Degrees and Sunday 43 Degrees
Yosemite Valley High Temp for Saturday 44 Degrees and Sunday 37 Degrees
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 358 AM PST Sat Nov 7 2020 .SYNOPSIS...Rain and mountain snow is expected across the entire district through the weekend as the first major storm system affects the area. High temperatures throughout next week will remain below normal && .DISCUSSION...Light showers are beginning to move into the west and northern half of the district this morning as a 541 decameter 500mb low continues to dig into central California. Strong winds developed today as a cold front pushed through the region. This front finally helped clear out the valley of all of the smoke and haze that has plagued the area for what feels like forever. Precipitation will continue to spread toward the east and southeast across the valley and into the mountains today. The greatest accumulations will stay mostly south of Fresno county, although some light accumulations area still possible into the northern half of the district. The Kern county desert will also have a chance of showers by later this morning, but precipitation amounts will remain light. Outside of a few lingering showers later this afternoon and evening in the higher elevations of the Sierra and Kern Co. mountains, there will be a lull in the precipitation through Sunday morning. Temperatures will be well below average today as a cold airmass moves into the area. Many locations in the valley and desert will struggle into the mid 50s. Snow levels in the mountains will also continue to fall to around 5,000 feet by the afternoon. Another trough of low pressure currently in the PacNW will dig southward later tonight into Sunday. Since this trough is closer to the Sierra range, it will have more moisture compared to today`s system. Guidance has continued to pick up on this solution and as such, overall QPF amounts for Sunday`s system are slightly greater. This system is also very cold, and snow levels will continue to fall to around 4,000 feet, which will bring the threat of accumulating snowfall down to pass levels. A Winter Storm Warning will remain in effect for the southern Sierra Nevada through Sunday evening, where general amounts of 3 to 6 inches are possible between 4,000 to 6,000 feet. Between 6 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts are possible above 6,000 feet by Sunday evening. Snowfall will eventually spread into Kern county by the morning, and will continue into Sunday evening. Snowfall will be possible through both the Grapevine and Tehachapi passes on Sunday, where a trace to 2 inches is possible. Greater amounts are expected above 6,000 feet. A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect for the Kern Co. mountains through Sunday evening. This storm system will exit the region by Monday, leaving a very cold airmass in its wake. Low temperature in the valley could reach into the lower 30s, with low to mid 20s in the desert. Since it is the first decent rain in the valley, fog may become an issue for both Sunday and Monday mornings, but confidence is still low. The region will remain under a cooler northwesterly flow for the majority of next week as a general trough pattern remains over the western U.S. Afternoon high temperatures across the central California interior will slightly moderate through the upcoming week, however they are expected to remain slightly below average. Models are starting to hint at the possibility of another system reaching the area by next weekend. So cooler temperatures, chances of rain and snow across the region, finally something to talk about other than fires and smoke!Source: NWS
