Excessive Heat — Fresno - Clovis, California

2024-07-02 to 2024-07-13 · Fresno - Clovis, California

Event narrative

During the 12 day heat wave event, afternoon highs were mainly between 109 and 116 degrees on July 6 through July 8 and on July 11 and 12. Afternoon highs were mainly between 104 and 110 degrees on July 2 through July 5 and on July 9, 10 and 13. An elderly couple was found dead in a house in Fresno during the morning of July 15, 2024 having been overcome by the heat after they were not seen or heard from for several days.

Wider weather episode

A large upper ridge of high pressure pushes inland into California on July 2. This ridge provided our area with a hot and dry airmass which persisted for several days until the ridge moved east and temperatures cooled below dangerous levels on July 14. Several record high maximum temperatures and high minimum temperatures were set between July 6 and July 8 and again on July 11 and 12. In addition to the persistent heat between July 2 and July 13, low daytime humidity with poor overnight recovery and heavy fuel loading resulted in an increased fire danger for much of the area during this period.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1181897. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.