One week ago, a heat wave of record-proportions was bearing down on California. Several days later, a fall breeze and Tropical Storm Rachel lowered temperatures by around 30 degrees inland.
This week, temperatures are set to return to normal for the first time in a while. Meanwhile, light rain and snow will arrive in the Sierra.
On Monday, high temperatures across the Central Valley from Sacramento through Fresno will rise into the low to mid-70s, still well below average this year, with temps actually set to be on the cooler side in the low-70s across the San Joaquin Valley thanks to lingering scattered clouds from the weekend’s cooldown — a trough of low pressure still sits across the western United States, held in place by what is left of Tropical Storm Rachel. Elsewhere along the coast, a north wind has will hold highs down into the 60s anywhere with an ocean view.
Overnight Monday, low temperatures drop into the 40s across the entire Central Valley underneath mostly clear skies, still winds, and the low pressure still in place. It will be one of the cooler mornings in a long time. The last time Fresno had a low temperature in the 40s was April 28, 166 days ago…