Typically by mid-August, much of the Central Valley begins to see average temperatures begin to slowly tick down. For the lower Sacramento Valley and the Delta region, that means highs in the low to mid- 90s. For much of the San Joaquin Valley, including Fresno, mid-August average highs are still in the upper 90s.
Instead, late last week we were treated to temperatures more typical of early October. Highs Friday topped out at a cool 79 degrees for Sacramento, 85 for Modesto, and only 91 for normally-scorching Fresno.
This week will not be a return to those cooler temps. With higher pressure setting in over the North Pacific Ocean and across the western U.S., our high temperatures will return to their rightful place in the 90s and even just over 100 degrees in Fresno…