Fire weather watch issued for Northern California. What does it mean for Modesto?
The National Weather Service recently issued its first fire weather watch of the season for much of Northern California.
That includes the Modesto area.
“Watch for gusty winds and low humidity,” the agency said, explaining that the combination can “cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity.”
Here’s what that means for Modesto — and what to expect in the forecast:
When is fire weather watch in effect for Northern California?
The fire weather watch will be in effect from 8 a.m. Sunday, May 18, to 8 p.m. Monday, May 19, the National Weather Service said.
During that time, the weather agency said, the risk of wildfires is expected to be especially high.
High winds, low humidity in store for Modesto
Winds in the Modesto area are expected to range from 15 to 25 mph on Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Wind gusts could reach 35 mph.
Daytime humidity will be between 15% and 25%, with evening levels rising to 55%, the weather agency said.
“Outdoor burning is not recommended,” the weather agency said.
“Fire safety precautions should be exercised to prevent fires,” the agency said on X. “Always have an emergency plan for if a fire starts near you.”
When is wildfire season in California?
Wildfire season is approaching in California, and experts warn it could be worse than usual.
Wildfire season typically runs from May to November, with most fires happening during the summer months, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association.
The National Interagency Fire Center predicts an “above normal” risk for significant wildfires across much of California from June through August, according to its latest seasonal outlook.
“Outlooks for Northern and Southern California both paint a picture of a significant increase — (a) pretty widespread, elevated risk of large fires come August,” John Abatzoglou, a climatologist at UC Merced, previously told The Modesto Bee.
What’s in the weather forecast for Modesto?
The National Weather Service’s latest seven-day forecast for the Modesto area calls for sunny, clear skies on Friday, May 16, with a high temperature near 87 degrees and a low temperature around 58 degrees.
Expect increasing clouds later in the day, with light winds around 5 to 8 mph in the evening.
Saturday will bring continued winds, reaching speeds of up to 21 mph by the evening.
Modesto will see a high near 76 and a low around 53.
Sunday will be sunny with a high near 83. Winds will range from 5 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph.
Sunday night will be clear, with temperatures dipping to around 60 degrees.
Starting Monday, the forecast shows a warming trend, with daytime highs climbing into the 90s.
This story was originally published May 16, 2025 at 11:02 AM.
