It was a magnificent Juneteenth weekend to get outside, with high temps anywhere from 5 to 10 degrees below average on Friday and Saturday across the Central Valley — not to mention the sunny skies and a light breeze.
But now that summer is officially upon us — the summer solstice occurred at 1:24 Sunday morning — that summer heat is back and building through the start of the week. High pressure over the Pacific Northwest is strengthening through Wednesday. Underneath this mass of building air, much of California and the western U.S. will experience well-above-average temperatures that will continue to keep skies clear and dry out the area.
As this high-pressure ridge reaches its peak between Tuesday and Thursday this week, much of the San Joaquin Valley will see temps nearing and exceeding 100 degrees and very low humidity. Relative humidity values below 15% south of Modesto and Fresno will raise the possibility of wildfire activity.
Thankfully for Sacramento and the Delta region, a nice and steady Delta breeze will keep the area a bit more moderated, with high temps in the low- to mid-90s between Monday and Thursday. You’ll surely feel that Delta breeze if you are out around sunset, with afternoon and evening gusts of 20 to 30 mph all week long.
By the weekend: cooler temps in sight
Here is a quick and easy way to think about the weather: If it ever feels too hot or too cold where you are, just know that somebody else is likely saying the opposite somewhere not too far away…