California has been experiencing exceptionally high temperatures recently.
A heat wave that started on the West Coast last week resulted in a sweltering Independence Day and an even hotter weekend for many people. A ridge of high pressure over the Western U.S. has been trapping hot air, leading to extreme temperatures in Las Vegas, the Pacific Northwest, and extensive areas of California.
Although the coastal regions of California have avoided the worst of the heat, several coastal areas still set daily temperature records over the extended holiday weekend. Communities in San Jose, Fresno, Oakland, Merced, Livermore, San Rafael, and Paso Robles experienced their hottest July 4th, 5th, or 6th on record among at least two dozen locations in California that broke daily records last week.
Over Friday and Saturday, when the heat wave reached its peak across most of the state, at least three cities recorded their highest temperatures ever for any date.
In Northern California, Redding saw temperatures soar to 119 degrees, while Ukiah in Mendocino County tied its all-time high of 117 degrees. In Southern California, Palm Springs reached an unprecedented 124 degrees.