The heat was definitely on yesterday, with Valley highs soaring to 103 in Merced and Los Banos, 104 in Porterville, and up to 105 in Hanford, Visalia, Madera, and Fresno. Saturday won’t be quite as hot, because monsoon moisture will move in from the Desert Southwest through the day, leading to a chance of scattered thunderstorms by the afternoon!
Strong high pressure just to our east has brought the heat to us. This high is centered over the 4 Corners states, and is pushing plenty of moisture from the south west our way, which will lead to numerous showers and thunderstorms in the Sierra Nevada through the day. The storms will move in from the south, so Kern and Tulare counties have the best chance of thunderstorms in the Valley, while Fresno & Madera counties will have a lesser chance. Most thunderstorms will arrive in the afternoon, but Kings County could see a shower or thunderstorm develop Saturday night. High temperatures should still heat up to near 100, so it might get humid…