Ten-day temperature forecast in Visalia shows 95 degrees or above every day and 105 for a number of them. That will bring down the snowpack in a hurry in the Sierra over the next two weeks with our dams already at capacity.What to watch for?
-More stored water in Sierra than had been estimated with the Friant Kern Canal receiving uncontrolled spill from Friant Dam weeks longer than had been expected and now Friant contractors expecting a 5% Class 11 supply- cheap surplus water to add to their 100% contracted supply this summer.
-Bakersfield, Fresno and Visalia could all match or set new record warm low temperature records.The first heat wave of 2024 is hitting inland California last week, and a spell of exceptionally warm nights.
–Tioga Road in Yosemite will finally open this summer on Monday, June 10 by 7 am after a huge snowpack was cleared along the key cross Sierra highway.
-High flows on the Kaweah and Kings Rivers this month will offer the best chance for river rafting in a while, with at least three suppliers in Three Rivers offering regular rides down the waterway and several along the Kings River watershed as well.-But the flows will be dangerous, coming down colder and stronger.
Tulare County gas prices are the lowest in the state, says GasBuddy this week.Fastrip in Lindsay is selling regular for $3.79 a gallon according to the fueling website and Valero in Linday is $3.80. Gasoline prices nationwide and in California have been dropping rapidly after the start of the Memorial Day driving season, usually when summer prices head higher. The average price for gasoline in California has come down $0.45 since May 8 says AAA.Nationwide the trend is our friend. “This drop in pump prices appears to have some sticking power for now,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “More states should see their averages dip below $3 a gallon in the coming weeks.”
Tulare County dairy operators are enjoying better margins this summer as the Class III milk price nationwide has climbed to about $20 per hundred weight compared to $15 at the beginning of this year. Meanwhile their feed is cheaper with the price of corn at $4.49 a bushel compared to over six dollars in June 2023. Helping to boost prices, milk production nationwide is down.