Includes Fresno, Madera, and Mariposa Counties and Yosemite National Park above 8,000 feet
December 18, 2023 - National Weather Service Hanford officials report a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the Sierra Nevada above 8,000 feet from 4:00 A.M.Tuesday morning until 10:00 A.M. Thursday morning.
The majority of this snow will fall Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night.
Winds may gust as high as 45 mph on exposed ridgetops and near the crest.
Travel in the higher elevations of Yosemite National Park may be extremely difficult or impossible.
If you plan to travel, consider alternate strategies. If you must travel, remember to carry tire chains, plenty of food, a good deal of water, warm clothing, and a flashlight in your vehicle.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
104 AM PST Mon Dec 18 2023
.SYNOPSIS...
A series of atmospheric disturbances will impact Central
California this week, resulting in periods of rain and high
elevation snow in the Sierra Nevada. Dry weather will return to
the service area this weekend. Temperatures will slowly and
gradually decrease this week. High temperatures this weekend will
be near normal for this time of year.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
A trough of low pressure will swing eastward across Central
California today and tonight, resulting in periods of rain and
high elevation snow in the Sierra Nevada. Snow levels will rise to
about 9,000 feet this afternoon. Five to ten inches of snow is
possible above 9,000 feet today and tonight. One quarter to one
half of an inch of rain is conceivable in the northern portion of
the San Joaquin Valley today and tonight. One tenth of an inch to
one quarter of an inch of rain is possible in the western portion
of the San Joaquin Valley today and tonight. Less than one tenth
of an inch or rain is conceivable in the southern portion of the
San Joaquin Valley today and tonight.
An upper-level area of low pressure will move southward, just off
the coast of the Golden State Tuesday through Wednesday night.
Precipitation associated with this cyclone aloft will impact
Central California Tuesday through Wednesday night. This
precipitation should be heavier than the precipitation expected
early today and tonight. One to two feet of snow is possible above
9,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada Tuesday through Wednesday night.
Six to twelve inches of snow is conceivable from 8,000 feet to
9,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada Tuesday through Wednesday night.
Here are probabilities of one half of an inch of rain or more for
select locations in the San Joaquin Valley from 4 AM PST
Wednesday, December 20th, 2023 until 4 AM PST Thursday, December
21st, 2023:
Porterville - 66%
Reedley - 66%
Fresno 61%
Merced - 61%
Madera - 61%
Bakersfield - 56%
Visalia - 56%
Hanford - 56%
Lemoore - 56%
Delano - 51%
The aforementioned cyclone aloft will move eastward across
Southern California Thursday through Friday. Precipitation
associated with this low pressure system will gradually taper off
from north to south Thursday afternoon through Friday. Dry
weather will return to Central California this weekend.
&&
.AVIATION...
MVFR or lower conditions are likely in and near showers today and
tonight. The most likely time period for sub-VFR conditions is
this afternoon.
&&
.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
On Monday, December 18th, 2023, unhealthy for sensitive groups in
Fresno, Kern, and Kings Counties. Fireplace/wood stove burning
status is: no burning for all in Fresno and Kern Counties. No
burning unless registered in Kings, Madera, Merced, and Tulare
Counties. Burning discouraged in Kern (Greater Frazier Park Area),
as well as in 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...
Winter Storm Watch from late tonight through Thursday morning
for CAZ323-326>328-330.
Source: NWS
