Ridgecrest, California 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

443
FXUS66 KHNX 060611
AFDHNX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
1011 PM PST Thu Feb 5 2026

.UPDATE...

Updated Aviation and Air Quality Sections.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1. Very High Transportation Risk with visibilities from 200
feet to zero through Noon today in the San Joaquin Valley.

2. Moderate confidence for dense valley fog to continue through
the weekend.

3. There is a chance of mountain and desert showers on Friday.
A 50 to 60 percent chance of a dusting of snow exists on Friday
in the Sierra Nevada. Also, a 5 to 10 percent chance of a trace
amount of rain exists in the valley and foothills on Friday.

4. There is medium confidence of additional rain and snow from
late Sunday until next Wednesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Dense fog developed once again in the San Joaquin Valley this
morning, although it was less widespread. Also, quite a few
locations cleared earlier compared to recent days. However,
Hanford, Visalia, Lemoore, and Atwater are still reporting
visibility of 1/4 mile or less at the time of this writing.
There is low to moderate confidence that we will see fog each
night and morning until this weekend. High resolution guidance
shows a 15 percent chance of dense fog development in the
Central Valley tonight into Friday morning. Thus, we have low
confidence for tonight. There is also a slight chance of a
sprinkle in the Valley during Friday. The chances for dense fog
rise Friday night into Saturday, or about 40 to 50 percent, so
the confidence is moderate for this period.

A pattern shift occurs by next week, although we are mainly
looking at light precipitation and some increase in winds over
the prone areas. Medium confidence exists for at least light
precipitation for late Sunday through Wednesday of next week.
The chance for at least 0.10 inch of precipitation is 10-20
percent in the Sierra Nevada for the 24 hour period from Sunday
afternoon to Monday afternoon, 40-50 percent from Monday
afternoon to Tuesday afternoon, 50-60 percent Tuesday afternoon
to Wednesday afternoon, and 30-40 percent from Wednesday
afternoon to next Thursday afternoon. Lower probabilities for
this amount of precipitation exist for remaining areas of the
forecast area during these 24-hour periods. Snow levels are at
8,000 feet by Sunday evening and lower to around 6,000 feet by
Tuesday. Some further lowering, or down to 5,000 feet, occurs by
Tuesday night. There is about a 10 percent chance for a dusting
of snow on the Grapevine and Tehachapi Pass on from Tuesday
evening into Wednesday, which bears watching. The best chance
for gusty winds along the Mojave Desert slopes and Sierra Nevada
crest will be on Tuesday evening into Wednesday, or about 50 to
60 percent for gusts of 40 mph or stronger.

&&


.AVIATION...

MVFR/VFR conditions across the San Joaquin Valley will continue
until 08Z Friday. After 08Z, a 15-25 percent chance of IFR
visibilities with KMCE closer to 45 percent. In addition, there
is a 5-15 percent chance of visibilities below 1/4 mile after
11Z Friday. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected for the
Sierra Nevada, Coastal Range, and Mojave Desert for the next 24
hours with the San Joaquin Valley reaching VFR at 21Z Friday.
No wind concerns during the next 24 hours.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...

On Friday February 6 2026, Fireplace/Wood Stove Burning Status
is: Burning Unless Registered in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera,
Merced, and Tulare Counties. Burning Discouraged in Kern
(Greater Frazier Park Area) and Sequoia National Park and
Forest.

&&

.CERTAINTY...

The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is high.
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...

None.

&&

$$

Aviation....Molina

weather.gov/hanford