000
Fxus66 khnx 251802
Afdhnx
Area forecast discussion
National weather service san joaquin valley - hanford ca
1002 am pst sat dec 25 2010
.Synopsis...Another low pressure system moving into the area from
The pacific northwest is expected to bring some more rain and
Higher elevation snow along with some gusty winds near the
Grapevine and southern part of the san joaquin valley.
Precipitation is expected mainly this evening into early sunday
Morning. During next week...High pressure returns once again on
Monday and tuesday before another trough pushes southward to the
Region for wednesday into thursday.
&&
.Update...Some unusual weather conditions this morning. Some fog
In the high desert instead of the san joaquin valley. Fog mainly
Towards palmdale area. The dense fog over the san joaquin valley
Cleared out overnight. Fog cleared early due to vertical mixing by
Strong winds at lower levels. Satellite pictures show a n-s
Stretched out weather system along the coast moving onshore. The
Latest 12z vandenberg sounding shows lower level winds from south
To 45 kt with a temperature inversion to 6kt. This is resulting in
Strong downslope wind flow across the south valley. The
Bakersfield area has already reached the high forecast temperature
Due to the downslope adiabatic warming. Will need to make a few
Temperature adjustments for the morning update. Models continue to
Indicate tight pressure gradients across central california
Through 00z sunday. High winds will continue to be problematic for
Much of today over the tehachapi mountains and south end of the
San joaquin valley.
.Early discussion...Satellite imagery shows the incoming frontal
System now has stopped digging south and is heading east from
128w. Given the current path and timing of the forecast models,
The precipitation will reach the merced county by early afternoon
And the sierra by sunset. This system looks rather strong but due
To the projected fast movement across the forecast area the
Precipitation event will not last very long. Current winter storm
Warning for the sierra will likely be verified as after the
Frontal system passes, orographic flow behind the front will allow
For additional snow in the sierra. Winds will remain rather strong
Below mountain passes and far south end of the san joaquin valley.
In addition the west side mountains and passes will see the
Potential for strong winds.
By late tonight, the front will be moving rapidly east and most
Non-mountain locations will see the precipitation come to an end.
By sunday afternoon the sierra snow showers will come to an end
With the area coming under the influence of high pressure on
Monday. The break in precipitation will be short lived as models
Bring the next system into central california tuesday night and
Wednesday. This feature looks to be a fast hitter also however due
To the northerly flow in its wake some rather cold canadian air
Will be pulled southward into the region. Will need to keep a
Close watch on this situation to see how much cold air gets west
Of the sierra.
&&
.Aviation...An approaching trough will bring strong gusty winds over
Ridges and through passes with gusty conditions also in the san
Joaquin valley...Especially at the south end and along and west of
Interstate 5. Precip will spread into the region from the nw after
21z with deteriorating conditions developing in heavy snow across
The southern sierra. Between 02z-06z in the sjv...Some ifr conds
Are possible in heavier bursts of rain with fropa as well as wind
Shift. Precipitation should generally clear the region between
12-18z except some lingering higher elevation showers and local
Mountain obscurations.
&&
.Air quality issues...
None
&&
.Hnx watches/warnings/advisories...
Winter storm warning from 6 pm this evening to 7 am pst sunday
Above 6000 feet for the caz096-097.
High wind warning until 10 pm pst this evening caz092-095.
Wind advisory until 7 pm pst this evening caz089-091.
&&
$$
Public...Mv
Avn/fw...Jeb
Synopsis...Bso