Hanford, CA – The National Weather Service in Hanford reports that a split weather pattern continues across Central California, with cool, cloudy conditions in the San Joaquin Valley and warming trends developing in higher elevations heading into the weekend.
Persistent low clouds and valley fog have kept temperatures relatively steady across the San Joaquin Valley this week, with highs struggling to rise much during the day. The cloud cover acts like a blanket, trapping cool air near the surface and preventing significant daytime warming.
In contrast, the Sierra Nevada foothills, Coastal Range, and Kern County Mountains are seeing much sunnier skies and warmer temperatures. Forecast highs in these higher elevations are expected to climb into the upper 60s to low 70s, while valley areas may remain in the low to mid-50s depending on cloud thickness.
“While the San Joaquin Valley will likely experience the lower end of the temperature range, areas above the cloud layer will reach the upper values,” the NWS Hanford office explained. This inversion pattern — common in winter — often leads to dramatic temperature differences between valley floors and nearby elevated terrain.
The warming trend will continue into the weekend, especially for areas above the fog layer. However, the valley may remain locked in cooler, gray conditions until a change in the weather pattern arrives next week.
Motorists are advised to watch for foggy conditions, especially during the early morning hours, as visibility may drop below a quarter mile at times.
