Projected Precipitation for Mariposa 0.50" - 1.00"
Projected Precipitation for Oakhurst 0.50" - 1.00"
Projected Precipitation for Yosemite Valley 0.50" - 1.00"
December 8, 2021 - The National Weather Service Hanford Office reports a cold front will move eastward through Central California Thursday.
Widespread precipitation is likely ahead of and along this cold front tonight and Thursday.
The majority of this precipitation will fall late tonight and Thursday morning.
Snow levels will drop from around 7,000 feet tonight to about 5,000 feet by Thursday morning.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Sierra Nevada from 7:00 P.M. this evening until 4:00 P.M. Thursday afternoon.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 433 AM PST Wed Dec 8 2021 .SYNOPSIS... A frontal system will impacts the region tonight and Thursday with rain and mountain snow. Sub-Freezing temperatures are likely in the Kern County deserts and much of the San Joaquin Valley Friday night and Saturday morning. A slow moving and robust storm system may impact our area early next week, bringing significant precipitation with it. && .DISCUSSION... A weak shortwave ridge is nudging over central California behind an exiting trough, with some high cloudiness dropping over the top of the ridge. Some patchy dense fog has been developing at the surface and lifting in some areas to a low stratus deck. The extent and persistence of fog will be watched carefully this morning and a Dense Fog Advisory may be appropriate. Meanwhile, temperatures are seasonably cool across the area this morning. The next approaching low pressure system is pushing through the Pacific Northwest area and as additional energy and moisture swings southward, we will see precipitation pushing through central California by later this evening. Blended model guidance is trending drier with QPF from this system, but still indicates high probabilities of significant snowfall accumulations in the Sierra zones, with as much as 12-14 inches possible at the highest elevations. Snow levels will lower to around 5000 feet, and around 5-10 inches is expected to accumulate. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 7 PM this evening through 4 PM Thursday. A couple of inches is possible over the higher Kern County mountains, but not expected to impact the pass areas. San Joaquin Valley rainfall totals will be generally around 1/4 to 1/2 inch, with up to an inch in the foothills and a few hundredths in the desert areas. A cold and dry northerly flow behind the system will bring freezing temperatures to much of the area, and Saturday morning lows in much of the Kern County desert area will likely be below 28 degrees. Temperatures in the San Joaquin Valley will drop to around the freezing mark. A more potent low pressure system is progged to drop into our area beginning Sunday and will bring more significant rain and mountain snow for early next week. && .AVIATION... MVFR to IFR ceilings and visibility in the SJ Valley through 18z Wednesday in haze and mist. After 06Z Thursday, areas of MVFR and IFR with local LIFR and mountain obscuration in clouds and precipitation will spread southward across the region. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail across the central CA interior for the next 24 hours. && .AIR QUALITY ISSUES... On Wednesday December 8 2021... Unhealthy in Kern County. Unhealthy for sensitive groups in Fresno... Kings... Madera and Tulare Counties. Fireplace/Wood Stove Burning Status is: No Burning Unless Registered in Kern (Greater Frazier Park Area)... Kings... Merced and Tulare Counties. No Burning For All in Fresno... Kern and Madera Counties. Further information is available at Valleyair.orgSource: NWS
