Central California Weather Forecast: Temperatures to hit 95 degrees, Cooling expected by weekend

Temperatures are expected to reach 95 degrees or higher today with a 50-80% probability, influenced by a ridge centered over New Mexico.Photo byAndrey GrinkevichonUnsplash

Central California is set to experience fluctuating weather this week, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford.

Temperatures are expected to reach 95 degrees or higher today with a 50-80% probability, influenced by a ridge centered over New Mexico. However, a cooling trend will begin late in the week as a trough moves in, dropping temperatures 10-15 degrees below normal on Friday and Saturday.

Breezy afternoon winds will elevate the risk of grass fires, particularly in eastern Kern County, where humidity levels are expected to fall below 10%.

The trough may also bring a dusting of snow to the Sierra Nevada crest above 8,000 feet, with a 40-50% chance of snow on Saturday morning.

By Sunday, temperatures will rebound to near-normal levels, with a return to above-normal temperatures and a 60-80% chance of triple digits next week as a new ridge builds over the region.