Modesto set ‘all-time record’ for heat. What’s in store for the rest of spring?
If March felt unseasonably warmer to you this year, you’re not alone.
Even though spring officially began on March 20, Modesto has already seen “all-time record high temperatures” for the season, according to the National Weather Service.
What’s in store for the rest of spring? Will it be just as hot?
Here’s what to know:
When did Modesto break heat records?
According to the National Weather Service, here’s when Modesto set ‘all-time record’ for heat for individual days in March:
- March 17 — 88 degrees Fahrenheit
- March 18 — 91 degrees
- March 19 — 88 degrees
- March 20 — 91 degrees
- March 21 — 83 degrees
- March 22 — 84 degrees
- March 23 — 87 degrees
- March 24 — 86 degrees
- March 29 — 87 degrees
The hottest day in Modesto for the year so far was recorded on March 18, when temperatures reached a high of 91 degrees.
That surpassed the previous record of 89 degrees set in 1960.
What’s in the weather forecast for Modesto?
After a brief break from the heat — with rain and gusty winds — sunny skies are expected to return to Modesto.
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, there’s a 60% chance of rain Wednesday night, April 1, with a high near 71 and a low around 51.
By Thursday, skies will clear, bringing sunshine and slightly cooler temperatures, with a high near 67 and a low around 47. Winds are expected to range from 6 to 11 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.
Dry conditions return Friday, with clear skies and a high near 74.
“High temperatures are forecast to rise back into low to mid 80s in the Valley by Saturday and through early next week, prompting the return of widespread minor heat risk in the Valley on Sunday,” the National Weather Service said.
Warm, sunny conditions are expected to continue through Easter Sunday, April 5, when highs could reach around 85 degrees, with lows near 54.
What’s in store for the rest of spring?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center projects above-normal temperatures across California for the remainder of spring, from April through June.
“Normal” is based on average temperatures and precipitation from 1991 to 2020.
However, that doesn’t mean storms are completely off the table.
“It is still possible to see some storms,” Johnna Infanti, a meteorologist with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, previously told The Sacramento Bee. “A below normal forecast for precipitation does not mean that there will be no rain, just that it may be overall below normal for the three-month period.”
According to the seasonal precipitation outlook for April through June, there’s an equal chance of above, near and below normal precipitation for most of the Central Valley.
