The heat wave that hit Fresno this week is a bit boring as it hits — unless you don’t have air conditioning and/or you work outdoors, in which case you should be prepared to break a sweat.
Andy Bollenbacher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford, said Monday’s forecast high of 105 degrees is the start of eight days of triple-digit temperatures that are fairly typical for this time of year in the region.
Last summer, on the other hand, was a record, when Fresno experienced its hottest July ever, second hottest June and third hottest August.
There were 69 days with triple-digit temperatures last year, the most in more than 70 years, according to the National Weather Service’s historical records.23 days for mercury to rise to 105 or higher, and 5 days for mercury to rise to 110 or higher.
By this time last year, there had been 25 days with triple-digit temperatures, up from 13 so far this year.
The difference, Bollenbacher said, is the high-pressure ridge that sits above the valley and withstands the heat “like a pressure cooker.”
Last year’s ridge was much stronger and extended into the Pacific Northwest, he said. “The ridge we’re seeing now is not as strong as last year’s ridge. It’s not as big and strong.”
Nancy Price is a multimedia reporter for GV Wire.A longtime reporter and editor who has worked for newspapers in California, Florida, Alaska, Illinois and Kansas, Nancy joined GV Wire in July 2019.She previously worked for the Fresno Bee Company as an assistant subway editor for 13 years.Nancy received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.Her hobbies include singing with the Fresno Masters Choir and volunteering at Fresno Films.You can contact Nancy at 559-492-4087 or email
Post time: Jul-14-2022