132 FXUS66 KHNX 142132 AFDHNX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 132 PM PST Tue Jan 14 2025 && .KEY MESSAGES... 1. Dry conditions and above average maximum temperatures will prevail this week. 2. Widespread freezing temperatures are forecast across mainly rural areas of the San Joaquin Valley through Wednesday morning. There is up to a 98 percent probability for low temperatures of 32 degrees or below in the rural areas. A Freeze Warning remains in effect through Wednesday morning. 3. Strong northeast to east winds are forecast across eastern Kern County today and Wednesday. There is up to a 46 percent probability for wind gusts of 45 mph or higher at Mojave. A Wind Advisory is in effect for the Mojave Desert Slopes until 10 PM Wednesday. 4. Latest CPC Outlooks give a 33 to 40 percent chance of above average temperatures and a 40 to 60 percent chance of below average precipitation. && .DISCUSSION... A ridge of high pressure continues to hold influence over Central California, leading to clear skies and cold overnight lows. Freezing low temperatures are expected in the rural areas of the San Joaquin Valley through tomorrow morning, with a 30 to 60 percent chance for lows of 32 degrees or lower in the cities in the Central San Joaquin Valley, such as Hanford and Delano. These temperatures are possible due to the stable pattern aloft, as well as continued dryness not allowing fog to form. These factors lead to clear skies at night, which lets heat escape from the surface more readily than with cloud cover/fog. A Freeze Warning will be in effect for the Central San Joaquin Valley until 9 AM tomorrow. Strong winds out of the northeast to east will continue for the Mojave Desert Slopes today through tomorrow night, with up to a 46 percent probability for wind gusts of 45 mph or higher at Mojave tomorrow. These winds are expected to calm by Thursday. The Wind Advisory issued for the Mojave Desert Slopes has been extended through 10 PM Wednesday due to the continuation of the strong winds. With the direction of the winds, crosswinds over Highway 58 may poise a risk to drivers, especially drivers of high profile vehicles. Thursday will see a general increase in temperatures, with lows in most locations coming out of freezing (though rural areas in Kern County may still reach freezing overnight). This would be caused by the cut off trough out in the Pacific coming onshore again, mixing out the cold air mass over the San Joaquin Valley. This cut off would also bring some moisture back to Central and Southern California, increasing afternoon relative humidities. Another cold front is expected to cross California this weekend, resulting in more potential for freezing low temperatures in the rural areas of the Valley. These low temperatures may last until midweek next week. Current probabilities for lows of 32 degrees or lower on Monday is 30 to 65 percent. This front may also lead to increased winds along the Mojave Slopes as it cross the state. This cold front is expected to be dry, with precipitation not expected in the forecast for the next week. The Climate Prediction Center also has a 40 to 60 percent chance for below normal precipitation through day 14. Long term ensemble models also show the ridge building into California, so temperatures may increase into the above normal range. && .AVIATION... 00z Update: VFR conditions will prevail across the central California interior through 00Z Wednesday. Areas of MVFR in haze are possible in the San Joaquin Valley after 00Z through 12Z Wednesday morning. VFR conditions will then prevail again through 00Z Thursday.. && .AIR QUALITY ISSUES... ISSUED: 01/13/2025 14:03 EXPIRES: 01/14/2025 23:59 On Tuesday January 14 2025, Fireplace/Wood Stove Burning Status is: No Burning Unless Registered in Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Madera Counties. Burning Discouraged in 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... Wind Advisory until 10 PM PST Wednesday for CAZ338. Freeze Warning until 9 AM PST Wednesday for CAZ302-305-306- 309>311-313-316. && $$ Public/Aviation/Fire Weather.....EW DSS/PIO..........................DCH weather.gov/hanford