Sunrise 6:10 AM   Sunset 7:42 PM Moonrise 8:46 PM   Moonset 6:17 AM

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FXUS66 KHNX 242104 AFDHNX

Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 204 PM PDT Wed Apr 24 2024



KEY MESSAGES

1. A Wind Advisory has been issued for the Kern County Mountains and Mojave Desert Slopes beginning at 5 PM this afternoon through 11 PM Friday.

2. A few thunderstorms are possible in the Sierra Nevada this afternoon.

3. A cooling trend will extend through Friday, bringing temperatures just below seasonal norms.

4. The next storm system to impact Central California will be on Friday, with mountain snow and rain in the foothills and adjacent valley areas, along with the chance for thunderstorms in those areas.

DISCUSSION
The first of two troughs are expected to run through California today, with a cold front attached to a low pressure system embedded in it. This will lead to increased chances for a few thunderstorms in the Sierra Nevada this afternoon. As with all thunderstorms, these carry the risk for localized flooding, small hail, and strong winds. This front will also cause increased winds in the Kern County Mountains and on the Mojave Slopes as it moves through, leading to strong sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Therefore, a Wind Advisory has been issued for these areas from 5 PM today through 11 PM Friday.

The second of the two troughs to impact California will come in on Friday, which will continue the high winds in the desert, also bringing in more moisture than the first one, leading to light mountain snow for the Sierra Nevada, and light rain for the foothills and adjacent valley areas. Chances for at least 0.01" of rain for the foothills on Friday are 40-45%, while valley locations closer to the foothills have a 15-25% chance for rain. Valley locations near the West Side Hills have at 5-10% chance for rain. Thunderstorm probabilities for Friday are also lower when compared to today's chances.

These two troughs one after the other will lead to a cooling trend that will last through Friday, leading to below normal temperatures for the region. The San Joaquin Valley is expected to see high temperatures in the low 70's by Friday. After these troughs exit the area, California will come under the influence of a more zonal pattern, which will raise temperatures to slightly above normal for this time of year. This is expected to continue through early next week.

The long range ensemble models are beginning to show another trough that may come through the area that will lead to a dip in high temperatures and increased chances for precipitation.


AVIATION
Localized Sierra Crest MVFR conditions with afternoon thunderstorms between 18Z and 03Z. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail throughout Central California for at least the next 24 hours.

AIR QUALITY ISSUES
ISSUED: 04/23/2024 14:45 EXPIRES: 04/24/2024 23:59 None.

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 from 5 PM this afternoon to 11 PM PDT Friday for CAZ331-333-334-337>339.

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San Joaquin Valley, CA,