Heat — Central Sierra, California

2021-07-09 to 2021-07-13 · Central Sierra, California

Event narrative

Daytime highs ranged between 105 and 110 degrees at elevations below 5000 feet on July 9-13.

Wider weather episode

A large upper high pressure ridge built into central California between July 7 and July 9 and remained over the region through July 13 before shifting east and allowing for moderating temperatures across the area by July 14. This ridge was responsible for several days of near record heat across the area and resulted in the most significant hot spell across the area since the heat wave of July 16-27, 2006. The main saving grace; however, was that humidity was not as high as it was during the 2006 heat wave which lessened it's destructive impact.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 960936. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.