Heatwave Grips Central California: Temperatures to Soar Above 105°F Through Saturday

Daytime temperatures will remain dangerously high, with poor humidity recovery overnight.Photo byFabrice NerfinonUnsplash

A heatwave has settled over Central California, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 105°F or more across much of the region through Saturday. The National Weather Service in Hanford has extended both the Excessive Heat Warning and Heat Advisory through Saturday night, as a strong ridge of high pressure continues to dominate the Southwest. The heatwave has brought scorching conditions to the lower elevations, with little relief expected until a cooling trend begins on Sunday.

Daytime temperatures will remain dangerously high, with poor humidity recovery overnight. This has heightened the risk of grass fires, particularly in eastern Kern County and the West Side Hills, where low humidity and dry conditions persist. Firefighters and residents are urged to remain vigilant as the elevated fire risk continues through the weekend.

In addition to the extreme heat, isolated thunderstorms are forecasted for the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada on Friday and Saturday. A small disturbance and monsoonal moisture drawn up by the ridge are expected to trigger these storms, with a 10-15% chance of development, primarily near Yosemite National Park. The storms could provide brief relief from the heat in localized areas but may also bring lightning, adding to fire concerns.