Whiskey Flat weekend brings sunshine, mild temperatures and a late rain chance

Kernville’s biggest weekend of the year is expected to start with sunshine and end with a small chance of rain as a new storm moves toward California, according to the National Weather Service Hanford office.

The three-day forecast sets up well for outdoor events, with comfortable daytime temperatures and light winds through most of the weekend before cooler, unsettled weather arrives Sunday.

Friday opens the festival with classic winter weather for the Kern River Valley. The National Weather Service forecasts sunny skies with highs near 60 degrees and overnight lows in the upper 30s.

That pattern should make early vendor setups chilly at first, then comfortable by late morning as crowds begin filling downtown and the rodeo grounds. Expect jackets early and lighter layers by mid-day.

Saturday looks like the warmest and most comfortable day of the weekend. High temperatures are expected to reach the mid-60s with light winds and increasing clouds later in the day, the National Weather Service said.

The warmer air and dry conditions should make Saturday the peak outdoor day for parade spectators, rodeo crowds and festival visitors spending long hours outside.

Cloud cover is expected to increase Saturday evening as the next Pacific storm approaches California.

Sunday brings the only weather shift of the weekend. High temperatures are forecast to drop into the mid-50s with mostly cloudy skies and a growing chance of rain later in the day, according to the National Weather Service.

Morning events should remain dry, but showers become more likely by the afternoon and evening as the storm system moves into Central California.

Rain is expected to continue into Sunday night and early next week as the system moves inland.

For festivalgoers, the forecast means two strong outdoor days followed by a cooler finale that may require rain jackets for late-day events.

Morning temperatures will stay cold throughout the weekend, so layers will still be important for early events and evening activities.