SHOWERS & THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT

The low pressure system that helped put on that fantastic light show light night over southern Kern County is still here. And another round of thunderstorms appears likely tonight as the low slowly spins through central California. That spin cycle brought up to .44" of rain in Taft last night, with golf ball sized hail ( 1 3/4" in diameter) in the Stallion Springs area. Tonight, the volatility appears to be dialed down a bit but moderate rainfall is certainly possible. Models are showing lingering precipitation in western Kern County from midnight through about 5 AM as the low pivots directly over the Bakersfield area. South Valley accumulations are forecast to range from a trace to a quarter inch, with mountain towns seeing up to half an inch- especially in the Frazier Park/Pine Mountain Club area.

Low pressure will then start to move out to the northeast Wednesday mid-day with decreasing clouds. It will be a bit warmer tomorrow with highs close to 80, up a few from today's 78 official high in Bakersfield. As the low departs, there should still be sufficient instability in the atmosphere to create thunderstorm activity in the Kern River Valley by the afternoon. Lake Isabella will see a 50% chance for rain in the afternoon, before diminishing by evening. Thursday and Friday should be mostly dry, except high Sierra thunderstorms each afternoon.

Then, another low pressure system will form and move into the same spot our current low is. That will again bring about cool and potentially wet weather. A few models have this weekend's low pressure system farther to the south, over Baja. If that takes place, the chance for rain will be a bit lower. Nevertheless, it will still be cooler than the normal 90-degree June weather. Dry and warmer conditions should then develop for the end of next week. However, medium range models suggest that another round of low pressure is likely after the middle of the month.

So, be on the watch for a few thunderstorms this evening with brief heavy showers and the potential for a some small hail. I do not expect it to be as impressive a display as last night, but there will certainly be some lightning.

Chief Meteorologist MILES MUZIO June 6, 2023 7:05 PM