FXUS66 KHNX 211711 AFDHNX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 1011 AM PDT Sat Mar 21 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... 1. A warming trend will continue with afternoon temperatures approaching 20 to 25 degrees above average today. 2. Temperatures drop on Sunday but will remain above average through much of next week. 3. Gusty winds will develop at times this weekend into next week along the Mojave Desert slopes. 4. Practice cold water safety, as waterways will be running cold and fast over the next several days. && .DISCUSSION... After another mild morning, today's highs will once again reach unseasonably warm values, with widespread highs near 90 degrees. Record high minima were reached at most valley locations this morning, and record high maximum temperatures are once again challenged in some valley locations. There is a probability of 65-75 percent for readings at least 90 degrees in the San Joaquin Valley and 80-90 percent for the Kern County desert. The chances for gusts of 45 mph or stronger along the Mojave Desert slopes remain at 20-30 percent (low to moderate) for this evening into Sunday morning. Although, additional chances for 45 mph gusts exist for Monday, as well as Wednesday and Thursday. No precipitation is forecast for at least the next seven days. Above average temperatures continue for much of next week, though not quite as warm. The chances for 90 degree maximum temperatures are considerably lower in the Central Valley, but remain at 60-70 percent throughout the Kern County desert. The warm, dry pattern will persist for quite some time, including the ridge of high pressure that remains strong over the Southwest along with southwesterly flow over Central California. Although, shortwave troughs at times will bring modest cooling and increased winds. Widespread highs in the 80's remain more likely, at least for the Central Valley. Latest CPC outlooks at both the 6-10 day and 8-14 day ranges continue to favor below average precipitation and high probabilities of above average temperatures. && .AVIATION... VFR conditions are expected for the next 24 hours except for MVFR and local IFR due to fog/mist from 12Z-18Z Sunday in the San Joaquin Valley, mainly in areas between KBFL and KFAT. && .FIRE WEATHER... Warm air temperatures and steady dew point temperatures will continue to result in lower minimum relative humidities, especially for the Mojave Desert, high Sierra, and Coastal Range. This will coincide with much lower 100- and 1000-hr dead fuel moistures and higher ERC (Energy Release Component) in these areas. Rapid curing of fine fuels will bring about some risk for isolated grass fires. However, live fuel moisture remains below critical thresholds and significant wildfire potential remains at little or no risk. && .AIR QUALITY ISSUES... None. && .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. && $$ BSO weather.gov/hanford