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CBS News
7 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Northern California's mild July continues. When will the triple-digit heat return?
This July has been too good to be true. Northern California has been one of the coolest spots in the country with fall-like temperatures in what's typically our hottest time of the year. Since mid-July, there hasn't been a hint of a major heatwave. Daytime highs across the Sacramento Valley have hovered consistently in the 80s, and just this Tuesday, many spots didn't even reach the upper 80s, a rarity for a typical summer. So when will the heat return, and could we be looking at late summer? It's possible. The driver for our mild weather lately has been a consistent weather pattern. Northern California has been sandwiched between two areas of high pressure, one to the north in the Gulf of Alaska and one to the southeast over the Four Corners region. This setup has created just enough space for troughs of low pressure to dip in, enhancing the coastal marine layer and fueling a strong Delta Breeze. This Delta Breeze acts like nature's air conditioner, a steady, onshore flow of cool air that not only brings relief in the mornings and evenings, but has been strong enough lately to keep even our afternoons mild. Keeping us out of any summertime heat. Patterns like this are stubborn, and current trends suggest it may hold through early August. So if you've been enjoying this cool-down, there's a good chance it will stick around a bit longer. Typically, July is one of the hottest months of the year in Northern California, often bringing multiple heatwaves and triple-digit temperatures across the Valley. But this year? Not the same. In 2024, Sacramento saw 16 days of highs at or above 100 degrees in July alone. Meanwhile, this July has so far brought only one day of 100-degree temperatures to Sacramento, on July 11. During July, Sacramento averages a high of 93 degrees. Looking at this July, we've only seen eight days at or above that number, with more than half the month below average. Historically, Sacramento's hottest stretch of the year runs from July 9 through August 5, when average highs peak at 93 degrees. So yes, we're technically in our summer prime, but it certainly hasn't felt like it. If we keep our stretch of mild highs through the end of the month with no other triple digits, we could tie a three-decade record. As the last time Sacramento saw only one 100° day in July was back in 1993. Expect highs in the low 80s to continue across the Valley through the rest of the week and into the weekend. In the Sierra and foothills, temperatures will stay comfortably in the 70s and 80s over the next seven days. Starting Wednesday afternoon through Saturday, daily thunderstorms are likely across the Sierra thanks to growing atmospheric instability. The best chances will be along the Sierra crest and eastern slopes. With best chances along the Sierra crest and eastern slopes. These storms will not be big rain-producers, yet storm threats will mainly be dry lightning, small hail, gusty winds and brief heavy rain. The dry lightning risk will keep fire danger elevated through the weekend. If you have any outdoor plans in the mountains, Sunday looks to be the best day with fewer storms expected. Temperatures begin to climb again toward the end of the month, with highs returning to the low and mid-90s by July 28–29. But even as we warm up, the overall pattern through the end of July and early August keeps California among the coolest regions in the country. According to the latest outlook from the Climate Prediction Center, below-average temperatures are likely to continue over the next 6–10 days. Make sure to stay with the CBS Sacramento First Alert weather team for updates to our mild summer pattern.
CBS News
18-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Summer-like heat briefly returns to Northern California before weekend cooldown
Triple-digit heat is back in the forecast Wednesday, but it'll be short-lived as our next pattern change brings cooler air and strong winds by the end of the week. Triple-digit heat Wednesday The hottest day of the week arrives on Wednesday as a high-pressure system spreads over California. Valley temperatures will soar into the triple digits by late afternoon, with Sacramento expected to hit 100°F for the first time this June. The heat will also impact the foothills, where highs will climb into the upper 90s and low 100s. Even the Sierra will feel warm, with sunny skies and highs in the 80s. A noticeable shift after a mild start to the month. By Wednesday night, a light Delta Breeze will begin to pick up, setting the stage for a noticeable cooldown Thursday morning across the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. Fire danger increases with incoming winds Our high-pressure system won't stick around long. By Thursday, it begins to shift east, making way for a strong low-pressure system moving toward the West Coast. This will deepen the marine layer and usher in cooler, windier conditions through the end of the week. While rain is expected in the Pacific Northwest, our region will stay mostly dry. However, fire danger will remain elevated due to gusty winds and dry vegetation, especially in grassy and wooded areas that have been drying out in the recent heat. Thursday kicks off with morning temperatures in the 60s, rising only into the mid to upper 80s by the afternoon, a 20+ degree drop from Wednesday. Winds will also pick up, particularly in the Delta and Sierra regions, where a Red Flag Warning is in effect from the Tahoe Basin into parts of Nevada. In the Valley, wind gusts could reach up to 35 MPH by Thursday evening. While higher humidity levels may prevent critical fire conditions, fire danger remains high. Be cautious around dry brush and practice fire safety. PG&E issued a Public Safety Power Shutoff warning for parts of Northern and Central California from Thursday through Sunday. A cool start to summer? We'll end off the week in the 80s as highs on Friday. The Summer Solstice officially begins at 7:42 p.m. on Friday, June 20, marking the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. Expect gusty conditions Friday, especially in the Delta and mountains, where winds could reach up to 50 mph. If you have outdoor plans, be mindful of the wind and fire danger. Heading into the weekend, our cool down continues. Valley temperatures will hold in the low 80s, while foothills and mountain areas will feel a significant drop, with highs in the 60s and 70s. In fact, Saturday, the first full day of summer, will be the coolest day of the week. Looking ahead Next week will begin mild with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. We'll add in more heat by Wednesday, yet highs will stay close to seasonal averages. Make sure to stay with the CBS Sacramento First Alert Weather team for any new updates.
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Northern California to see warm finish to week before cooler Mother's Day
The ups and downs of spring continue this week in Northern California with above-average temperatures and a cooler finish to the weekend. Wednesday brought a brief relief as our Delta Breeze helped to cool us down after a warm start to the week. But this cool down will be short-lived as temperatures heat up Thursday through Saturday. Delta Breeze returns It was a refreshing start to Wednesday. Temperatures have been 8 to 16 degrees cooler than Tuesday's, with highs only reaching the upper 70s and low 80s. Since the weekend, valley highs have been in the upper 80s to low 90s. A warm start to the week with a strong north wind helped increase fire danger and dry out grasses. This is the time of the year to be mindful of where you park and when you mow to not spark a fire. The Delta Breeze will linger through Wednesday evening before changing direction by Thursday. As breezes calm Wednesday night, valley temperatures dip to the low 50s. Warm finish to the week Another warming trend begins as we finish the week. High pressure rebuilds over Northern California, helping temperatures return to the upper 80s, near 90 degrees on Thursday. By Friday and Saturday, most of the Valley, Delta and lower foothills will be in the low 90s. For some, this will be the warmest temperatures we've seen so far this year. Places such as the Central Valley and California's high deserts could hit triple-digit highs to end the week. A little taste of summer in May. The unseasonably warm weather will stick around through Saturday, before the wind returns as we head into a breezy, cooler Mother's Day on Sunday. A cool down by Mother's Day By Sunday, the wind begins to increase as another storm system approaches Northern California. The afternoon will be nice with plenty of sunshine and breezy winds. Temperatures across the valley will fall about 10 degrees compared to Saturday, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. Still a great day for any afternoon plans outdoors to celebrate with mom. By Sunday evening, clouds begin to move in across the northern Sacramento Valley as our storm system moves in. Looking ahead to next week, there is a chance for a few showers, mainly focused on areas north of I-80 and higher elevation spots. Sacramento could see a few light showers Monday evening into early Tuesday. Rain chances look very light for now, especially across the valley, with most receiving less than 0.10''. Spots in the foothills and Sierra could get an extra 0.25-0.50'' of precipitation by Wednesday morning. Light snow is possible too along the Sierra peaks, especially for locations above 7,000 feet. Water Safety A reminder, as temperatures begin to heat up, now is still not the time to dive into our local waterways and lakes. The water is still very cold, as most of it is snowmelt coming down from the Sierra. This week, most local waterways had a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees. In temperatures like these, cold water shock and hypothermia can become real dangers, even though the water may not seem dangerously cold at first. Make sure to always wear a life jacket when out on the water and have a plan in place in case you suddenly go in. Stay with the CBS Sacramento First Alert Weather for any changes to the forecast heading into the summer months.
