Armona, California 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

599
FXUS66 KHNX 202353 AAA
AFDHNX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
353 PM PST Sat Dec 20 2025

.UPDATE...Updated Air Quality Issues and Aviation sections.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1. A Flood Watch is in effect for the Sierra Nevada below 9,000
feet and foothills, mainly Yosemite, as well as Mariposa and
Madera Counties until Monday.

2. A significant pattern change is expected to take place by this
evening with precipitation likely for the Sierra Nevada and its
foothills from Fresno County northwards. Moderate to briefly
heavy precipitation is possible in these areas from this evening
into Sunday.

3. A second, stronger system is expected to arrive Tuesday, with a
moderate risk for heavy precipitation throughout Central California,
and a moderate risk for heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada
expected from Christmas Eve through Friday of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
The clouds have mostly broken up this morning thanks to the
approaching trough. However, the radar is picking up showers
moving in to the North and in the Sierra Nevada. Additional
moisture arrives by later this evening towards Yosemite NP, as
well as the Sierra and foothills in Madera and Mariposa Counties
which will produce moderate to heavy rainfall at times until
Monday. As of now, a 20-40 percent probability of at least one
inch of rain in a 24 hour period ending 10 AM Sunday morning
exists in these areas, while about a 40-60 percent chance of an
inch or more of rain ending on Monday morning remains. Thus, a
Flood Watch is in effect for these locations. After Monday
morning, we see a brief decrease in precipitation that could
last into Tuesday morning. However, chances for precipitation do
not completely diminish, but begin a gradual spread southward
on Sunday into Tuesday.

On Tuesday, more widespread precipitation arrives, and the
chances for at least one inch of rain per 24 hour period rises
markedly for much of Central California. Latest model ensembles
show a 90 to 100 percent chance of water vapor transport values
of at least 250 kg/(m*s) with this system. The best chances for
two inches of rain per 24 hours are in the Sierra Nevada and
foothills at elevations from 6,000 to 7,000 feet and below. The
heaviest snow will fall at elevations above 8,000 feet on
Tuesday onward, although the snow levels range from 6,000 to
7,000 feet during this time, with the higher levels of the range
on Tuesday. There is around a 20-60 percent chance of snow
above one foot in 24 hours beginning with the period from
Tuesday morning until Wednesday morning. The probabilities
increase each day until at least Christmas Day. Precipitation
will also occur next Friday into next weekend, although
uncertainty regarding amounts and exact timing of heavier
precipitation increases. Any lull periods are possible during
next week, although exact timing of these periods are also
uncertain beyond early next week. In addition, with the initial
surge of precipitation with the arrival of the Tuesday system,
there could be increased winds. For example, Merced County shows
around a 30-40 percent chance for a gust of 40 mph around
Pacheco Pass and a 40 to 60 percent chance of gusts of at least
40 mph along the West Side Hills through Kern County.

Above average precipitation (40-50 percent chance) and near to
warmer than average temperatures are favored (up to 40 percent
chance) in the latest 8-14 day outlook from the Climate
Prediction Center, which includes December 27th through January
2nd.


&&


.AVIATION...
IFR to MVFR visibilities are expected to prevail for much of
the San Joaquin Valley during the next 24 hours with a slight chance
of showers towards FAT, MCE and MER after 03Z Sunday. IFR ceilings
due to precipitation over the Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills
from Fresno County northward. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail
over the next 24 hours.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
On Sunday December 21 2025, Fireplace/Wood Stove Burning Status is:
No Burning Unless Registered in Fresno, Kern, and Madera Counties.
Burning Discouraged in Kings, 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...
Flood Watch from Tuesday afternoon through Friday afternoon
for CAZ300>317-319>322-327>339.
Flood Watch from 4 PM PST this afternoon through Friday
afternoon for CAZ318-323>326.
Winter Storm Warning from 4 PM this afternoon to 4 PM PST
Friday for CAZ323.
Winter Storm Watch from Tuesday afternoon through Friday
afternoon for CAZ326>331.
&&

$$

JPK/BSO

weather.gov/hanford