Excessive Heat in Fresno - Tulare Lower Sierra, California

During the 12 day heat wave event, afternoon highs were mainly between 106 and 113 degrees on July 6 through July 8 and on July 11 and 12. Afternoon highs were mainly between 101 and 107 degrees on July 2 through July 5 and on July 9, 10 and 13.

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.