Northern California is still dealing with dangerous heat, but the hottest stretch is expected to ease by midweek. The National Weather Service says temperatures should trend back toward seasonable levels by the weekend.
Until then, much of the Central Valley remains under heat alerts, and some mountain areas may see thunderstorms later in the week. Those storms could bring lightning, brief showers and gusty winds in isolated spots.
Where the Heat Is Hitting Hardest
The National Weather Service said extreme heat will affect portions of Northern California and the Central Valley through Tuesday. In the northern Sacramento Valley, some of the region’s highest readings are expected, with Redding near 109 degrees and Red Bluff around 107 degrees.
Chico could reach 104 degrees, while cities including Sacramento, Modesto, Merced and Fresno are also expected to stay hot. Those locations remain under a heat advisory through 11 p.m. Tuesday, June 16.
“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,” the National Weather Service said.
Sacramento, Modesto, Merced And Fresno Forecasts
| City | Notable Forecast Details |
|---|---|
| Sacramento | Near 95 on Monday, 93 on Tuesday and Wednesday, then below 90 by Thursday |
| Modesto | Near 97 on Monday and Tuesday, cooling to about 95 Wednesday and 93 Thursday |
| Merced | Highs near 98 Tuesday and Wednesday, then cooling into the 80s by Thursday |
| Fresno | Peaking around 101 Tuesday, staying above 90 through Friday |
Sacramento is expected to stay hot through the middle of the week before more seasonable temperatures arrive. Monday’s forecast calls for a high near 95 degrees, with light winds of 5 to 10 mph and gusts up to 18 mph.
Tuesday should be similar, with a high near 93 degrees and gusts reaching 20 mph. By Thursday, highs are forecast to fall below 90 degrees and remain there through the weekend.
Modesto faces another hot stretch before the cooldown begins. The National Weather Service says Monday and Tuesday will both reach about 97 degrees, with light winds and overnight lows in the mid-60s.
Merced and Fresno are also expected to feel the peak of the heat before conditions gradually improve later in the week. Merced’s hottest temperatures should arrive Tuesday and Wednesday, while Fresno is forecast to top out around 101 degrees on Tuesday.
Thunderstorms Could Return To The Sierra Nevada
As the Valley heat starts to ease, the Sierra Nevada may see a more active weather pattern. The National Weather Service is forecasting a chance of mountain showers and thunderstorms on Thursday, June 18, in areas south of Highway 50.
Forecasts show a 10% to 20% chance of precipitation in parts of the Sierra Nevada, including areas near South Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park. Widespread rain is not expected, but the storms could produce lightning, brief showers and gusty winds in small areas.
By Friday, June 19, the weather service expects a gradual cool down with more seasonable temperatures to continue into the weekend.
