Ridgecrest, California 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

259
FXUS66 KHNX 111826
AFDHNX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
1126 AM PDT Sat Apr 11 2026


.KEY MESSAGES...
1. Chance for unsettled weather as precipitation, winds, and
periodic thunderstorms continue into this weekend.

2. Wind Advisory for Mojave Slopes through Sunday night.

3. Winter Storm Warning in effect through 11 PM Sunday for the
Sierra Nevada above 7,000 feet.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Unsettled conditions continue this Saturday as the upper low
moves closer to the West Coast. Ahead of the cold front,
expected later tonight, will see showers and afternoon
thunderstorms. Currently, the dynamic lift for better chances of
precipitation and unsettled conditions will move into the
region closer to 5 PM PDT and continue into the evening and
overnight periods. While the upper low, based on satellite
imagery and short term ensemble analysis as the center of the
low moving through Northern California tonight, enough energy
will shot through Central California for enhanced precipitation.
An the fact that abundant moisture is spreading north into the
region, confidence is high for significant snowfall overnight
(along with localized flooding in the lower foothill region. To
note: Probability of Exceedance (PoE) of receiving a half of and
inch or more in 6 hours reaches 60-80 across the Sierra Nevada
during the overnight period. The upper low will slowly move
through the region this weekend and not exit the region until
later on Monday.

While probability of measurable precipitation does diminish on
Monday, lingering showers are expected across the Sierra Nevada.
By Monday nigh, PoE of receiving a tenth of an inch drops to
below 10 percent. Yet, the general flow pattern remains
unsettled (cyclonic) with no strong high pressure ridge
expected. Storms will continue to cross the West Coast, yet,
uncertainty will keep precipitation probabilities low for the
latter portions of the forecast. However, confidence is high in
keeping Central California under cooler temperatures with
persistent strong winds across the favored areas of the Sierra
Crest and the Eastern Kern County (Mountains/Desert).

&&

.AVIATION...
VFR conditions prevailing for the next 24 hours except for
periods of MVFR with local IFR in showers/thunderstorms. The
Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills will have a high
probability of lower categories in weather during the period.
Gusts above 40 knots expected across the Mojave Desert slopes
for the next 24 hours.

&&

.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...
Wind Advisory until 11 PM PDT Sunday for CAZ338.

Winter Storm Warning until 11 PM PDT Sunday for CAZ323-326>328-
330-331.

&&

$$

Public/Aviation....Molina

weather.gov/hanford