Stratford, California 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

998
FXUS66 KHNX 201159
AFDHNX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
359 AM PST Sat Dec 20 2025

.UPDATE...
Updated Aviation section.

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.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 from late Saturday 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 Saturday
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.

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.DISCUSSION...
Precipitation begins as early as this evening, at least for our
northern portions, such as Merced County to Yosemite NP.
Additional moisture arrives by late Saturday 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 50-60 percent probability of at
least one inch of rain in a 24 hour period ending Sunday morning
exists in these areas, while about a 40-50 percent chance
ending on Monday morning remains. Thus, have issued the Flood
Watch 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. 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 60-70 percent chance of snow above
one foot in 24 hours beginning with the period from Tuesday
morning until Wednesday morning. This continues 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.

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 26th through January
1st (next Friday through the following Thursday).


&&


.AVIATION...
IFR to LIFR ceilings and visibilities are expected to prevail for
much of the San Joaquin Valley during the next 24 hours with a
slight chance of showers towards MCE and MER after 12Z
Saturday. 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 Friday December 19 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 high.

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 this afternoon through Friday afternoon for
CAZ318-323>326.
Winter Storm Watch from this afternoon through Friday
afternoon for CAZ323.
Winter Storm Watch from Tuesday afternoon through Friday
afternoon for CAZ326>331.
&&

$$

public...BSO
aviation....McCoy

weather.gov/hanford