Local forecast from Naval Air Station, China Lake. (Ridgecrest - 1 hr west of PVD)
China Lake, California
48 HOUR FORECAST / EXTENDED OUTLOOK
COMMENCING THURSDAY, 06 NOVEMBER 2003
WARNINGS IN EFFECT: None
FORECAST
DISCUSSION: The first in a series of East Pacific low pressure troughs is moving over Southern California, maintaining mostly cloudy to overcast skies through the day. Another low pressure system will affect California Friday morning, and by Friday evening brings significant overnight precipitation to the central and southern Sierras. Snow levels will drop to near 6,000 feet over the local Sierras, with periods of light rain and/or rain showers developing over the Indian Wells Valley. Valley showers end early to mid afternoon Saturday as the primary trough swings northeast. The main low will linger off coastal California and slowly weaken through Monday. This will continue a moderate flow of Pacific moisture with sufficient to produce scattered rain/snow showers over the local mountains and snow levels near 6,500 feet.
TODAY: Cloudy skies (BKN095-150 OVC200-280) with temporary conditions of partly cloudy (FEW060-080 SCT120-180 OVC230-280) from midmorning through early afternoon. Skies become cloudy again in the mid afternoon (FEW050-090 BKN100-200 OVC200-300) with showers of rain over the southern Sierras and snow to near 7,000 feet overnight . Winds light and variable becoming southwesterly 06 to 12 knots from mid afternoon through early evening. Winds return to light and variable overnight. High temperatures in the low to mid 60s and overnight lows in the low to mid 40s.
TOMORROW: Mostly cloudy to cloudy skies (FEW085-100 SCT/BKN120-160 BKN180-220 BKN/OVC250-290) with a few mountain showers over the Sierras. Clouds lower and thicken through the day, (SCT055-065 SCT/BKN085-170 BKN/OVC190-250), with increasing chances of mountain rains with snow above 7,000 feet. Light rain developing over the valley near midnight. Winds light and variable with westerly afternoon breezes to near 10 knots. High temperatures in the low to mid 60s with overnight lows in the mid 40s.
OUTLOOK: Local valley rain and rain showers end by early afternoon Saturday with mostly cloudy skies and scattered mountain showers persisting into Sunday. Beginning Sunday afternoon, a gradual decrease in cloudiness over the local area can be expected along with continued generally light winds. Rains cease and skies become partly cloudy late Monday afternoon as the remnants of the coastal low lifts northeast and moves into central Nevada. High pressure begins to build over California with a flat ridge developing through the remainder of the forecast period. High temperatures in the low 60s Saturday, and mid 60s Sunday and Monday. Low temperatures will remain generally in the low 40s through Monday.