As the West Coast transitions from a mild June, it's gearing up for the summer's first significant heat wave, with the National Weather Service forecasting extreme temperatures. Northern Sacramento Valley is expected to see the mercury hit 118 degrees F, while Oregon's Willamette Valley could experience temperatures in the triple digits. Excessive-heat warnings span from Bakersfield, California, to Portland, Oregon, anticipating potential daily and all-time July records, alongside consecutive days above 100 or 105 degrees through July 8.
Redding, California, could see temperatures of 118 degrees on Saturday, July 6, with Bakersfield not far behind at 113 degrees, and Salem, Oregon, anticipated to reach 105 degrees. Northern California faces critical fire weather conditions, with wind gusts up to 30 mph and low humidity, exacerbating the risk. Courtney Carpenter of the NWS highlighted the rarity of such intense heat early in July, with temperatures forecasted to be well above the seasonal average.
The heat wave arrives amid the harvest season for various summer crops in California, including peaches, plums, nectarines, and Valencia oranges, posing threats to agricultural productivity. Previous seasons have seen crops suffer under extreme heat, prompting increased irrigation and nighttime spraying among tree nut growers to mitigate evaporation. The Pacific Northwest, still recovering from the 2021 heat wave's impact on crop yields, braces for potential agricultural disruptions.
Source: farmprogress.com