Includes Mariposa, Oakhurst and Yosemite
February 22, 2023 - The National Weather Service Hanford Office reports a thunderstorm or two will be possible this later this afternoon.
Small hail and cloud to ground lightning could occur in these storms.
The green shaded areas below depict where these storms could form this afternoon.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
327 AM PST Wed Feb 22 2023
.SYNOPSIS...
Series of cold storm systems continue to bring winter weather
impacts to the foothill and mountain communities across the
district. Off and on valley rain is likely to continue through the
next few days. A break from the action on Sunday looks likely,
with the potential for another system to reach the district either
late next Monday or early next Tuesday.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
A much cooler airmass is in place today after a strong cold front
brought damaging winds to the region yesterday. Gradients have
relaxed quite a bit, so have let the Wind Advisory for the valley
go a few hours ahead of schedule. Strong winds are still
persisting in the Mojave Desert and higher elevation passes of
Kern County. Showers that are forming in the wake of this cold
front and ahead of the next system are bringing snow to the
foothill communities across the district today. Snow levels today
may reach as low as 1500 feet today. Snow that occurs today will
be light, but because of it occuring in low elevations that rarely
see snow it will still be impactful. This could lead to travel
concerns across the mountain passes in Kern County as well.
Model guidance for Thursday shows shower activity continuing.
Showers are likely to be light in nature, but also cold. Some
light snow could actually occur over Pacheco Pass. By Thursday
afternoon the 2nd part of this "event" will drop down from the
Pacific Northwest. Snow levels are expected to rise throughout the
region from about 1000 feet Thursday up to about 4000 to 4500 feet
by noon Friday. This is in association with a cold front and
higher PWATs with the secondary storm system. Strong winds are
likely to be occur with this cold front as well, mainly in Kern
County. In Kern County, snow ratios are expected to drop to
around 7:1 by midday Friday (down from 15:1 on Thursday), which
could lead to heavy snow load as indicated by the WSSI (winter
storm severity index) as the front passes through. This could
lead to major travel concerns over both Interstate 5 and Highway
58 on Friday. Pine Mountain Club may also see significant impacts
due to heavy snow on Friday.
Snow levels are expected to crash again by Saturday morning after
the front passes through the district. There could even be some
light snow accumulations in the desert areas of Kern County, but
likely less than 1 inch. Ensemble models are favoring shower
activity persisting into Saturday afternoon, so have extended the
Winter Storm Warning for the Kern Mountains and Sierra
Nevada/Foothills through 4 PM Saturday. All in all, the forecast
looks to be pretty much on track, with a slightly longer duration.
By Sunday, the impacts should lessen as a shortwave ridge of high
pressure builds. GEFS and EPS ensemble means are favoring a return
to a more active jet pattern by next Monday or Tuesday. This
could signal the return of valley rain and mountain snow then.
&&
.AVIATION...
Areas of MVFR and local IFR with mountain obscurations as
developing rain and snow showers spread southward across central
California throughout the day today. Otherwise VFR conditions are
expected to prevail.
&&
.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
ISSUED: 02/21/2023 15:04
EXPIRES: 02/22/2023 23:59
On Wednesday February 22 2023, Fireplace/Wood Stove Burning Status
is: No Burning Unless Registered in Fresno and Kern Counties.
Burning Discouraged in Kings, Madera, Merced, and Tulare Counties,
and Kern (Greater Frazier Park Area) and Sequoia National Park and
Forest.
&&
.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...
Blowing Dust Warning until 10 AM PST this morning for CAZ337-339.
High Wind Warning until 10 AM PST this morning for CAZ337>339.
Winter Weather Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 4 PM PST
Thursday for CAZ300.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 PM PST Saturday for CAZ318-320-
322>336.
Source: NWS
