We ended Winter with our first 90’s of the year (that still feels strange to write), and lots of records broken. This heat will moderate a bit in the next few days, but we’ll still be well above average for this time of year.
About a week ago, Fresno had warmed into the 90’s in March only 4 times since the 1880’s. 4 times in over 140 years. That’s it. It was very unusual to get that hot this early.
Now, a week later, we’ve doubled the number of times we’re warmed into the 90’s in March, set a new March (and Winter season) record high temperature (93), and set a new March (and Winter season) record warmest overnight low temperature (61).
Thank goodness this monster ridge of high pressure over California developed now and not in July. Some of us might spontaneously combust!
Fresno wasn’t the only city in the Valley to set a new March high temperature record. Merced and Los Banos did as well, and Madera tied theirs. Hanford and Visalia set a few daily record highs, but not a new monthly one.
Other cities that set new March record highs include San Francisco (89), Redding (93), Reno (88), Sacramento (88), Bakersfield (95), Las Vegas (97), and Furnace Creek in Death Valley (105).
Phoenix, AZ, had reached triple digits in March only once before this week, when they hit 100 exactly. Now, they’ve done it 4 times (3 this week), and their new March high is 105. Palm Springs soared to 108. It’s still only March!
The good news is that the HUGE ridge of high pressure over California that is responsible for this heat will begin to slowly weaken this weekend. Not move out or completely collapse… but even a little weakening will give us some relief from this blistering March heatwave. That still feels odd to write.
Temperatures should top out near 90 in the Valley on Saturday, then into the middle 80’s by Sunday. We’ll stay near the middle 80’s for most of next week, which is still around 15 degrees above average for this time of year – but at least it’ll be somewhat cooler.
All of this heat is melting the Sierra snowpack fast. The latest look at the snowpack shows that it’s only 62% of normal for this time of year in the southern Sierra Nevada, around 47% of normal in the central Sierra, and only 25% of normal in the northern Sierra. This heat will continue to work on what’s left of that snow, and there may not be much left in another month. That will allow our fire season to start weeks earlier than usual, which is never a good thing.
It’s also prompting the closure of some ski resorts in the Sierra. This will be the final weekend for skiing at China Peak! They’ll be open 9 am to 3 pm Saturday and Sunday, and tickets will be half price. Don’t forget the pond skimming contest on Saturday!
They’ll be joined by Sierra-at-Tahoe in closing on Sunday, while Badger Pass, Dodge Ridge, Alta Sierra, and Mt. Shasta have already closed for the season.