Excessive Heat — Se Kern Cty Desert, California

2018-07-24 to 2018-07-28 · Se Kern Cty Desert, California

Event narrative

Daytime highs ranged between 108 and 113 degrees at most locations between July 24 and July 28.

Wider weather episode

A large area of high pressure strengthened over the region on July 17 resulting a long stretch of days with 100 degree and warmer days across the San Joaquin Valley and the Kern County Deserts. The high strengthened over California on July 24. This resulted in several days of excessive heat over the Kern County Deserts where and Excessive Heat Warning was issued for a five day period, and a significant heat wave persisted across the San Joaquin Valley where emergency cooling centers were opened each afternoon in several municipalities between July 24 and July 28. Heat Advisories were posted for the San Joaquin Valley as well as for the lower elevations of the southern Sierra foothills and Kern County Mountains during this period. The high finally weakened on July 29 and 30 which allowed for temperatures to finally cool down closer to normal levels. The month turned out to be the warmest July on record for Fresno and the second warmest on record for Bakersfield.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 762283. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.