The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for portions of Northern California and the Central Valley as Sacramento, Modesto, Merced and Fresno stayed under a heat advisory through 11 p.m. Tuesday, June 16. Temperatures are expected to climb well above 100 degrees in those areas and across much of the region.
On Monday, June 15, the weather service said, "While hot temperatures continue early this week, a gradual cool down is expected by the middle of the week with a return to seasonable temperatures by the weekend," as dangerous heat continued to affect the region.
Redding, Red Bluff and Chico
Forecast highs show how widespread the heat will be. Redding could reach 109 degrees, Red Bluff is forecast to hit 107 degrees and Chico could top out around 104 degrees. The heat will also affect Sacramento, Modesto, Merced, Fresno and surrounding foothill communities.
The weather service used the phrase "extreme heat" to describe the impact on portions of Northern California and the Central Valley through Tuesday. It also said, "These hot temperatures combined with low relative humidity and breezy onshore winds, will lead to elevated fire weather conditions in the northern Sacramento Valley and adjacent terrain through Tuesday," adding another layer of risk for parts of the region.
Sierra Nevada Thursday forecast
A separate forecast calls for a chance of mountain showers and thunderstorms on Thursday, June 18, in areas south of Highway 50. The National Weather Service put the precipitation chance at 10% to 20% in portions of the Sierra Nevada, including areas near South Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park, and said widespread rainfall is not expected.
Those thunderstorms could bring lightning, brief showers and gusty winds to small areas. The weather service said a gradual cool down with more seasonable temperatures is forecast to continue through the weekend, with Sacramento expected to remain hot through the middle of the week before cooler conditions arrive.
June 19 forecast
By Friday, June 19, the gradual cool down is forecast to be underway across the Valley, while the Sierra Nevada could see an active weather system as temperatures begin to ease. For people in the advisory area, the immediate change is simple: the hottest stretch lasts through Tuesday, and the midweek turn should bring relief before the weekend.
