Bakersfield’s sizzling summer heat wave will continue for a few more days, and there appears to be no relief in sight with temperatures expected to hit the triple digits through next weekend.
The National Weather Service’s Hanford office is forecasting highs of 105 degrees here in Bakersfield on Sunday, and temps topping 100 degrees each of the next seven days. The Weather Service says that Northern California can get some relief from the high heat, the southern part of the San Joaquin will have temps over 100 degrees. Bakersfield has currently seen 14 consecutive days of 100-degree temps. In July of 2016, the longest streak of 100-plus degree days was eight and the region saw 15 days of 100-degree temps.
Based on data from the National Weather Service website, this has been one of the hottest starts to the month since 1996 and Bakersfield’s July is poised to be the hottest in 20 years. In 2013, Bakersfield’s average high temperature in July was 101.4 degrees. In 2006 and 2003, the area had 15 consecutive days of 100-plus degree days but 2017 should easily break that record. In 2003, Bakersfield had 23 days in July with temperatures topping 100 degrees.
With the hot temperatures, we can also expect poor air quality and the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District has forecast air that is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
