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Heat wave keeps trucking across West

Record-breaking triple-digit highs possible in several states

(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Scorching Memorial Day heat will not let up in areas of the West this week.

Redding and Sacramento, California, set record highs Monday of 109 and 104 degrees, respectively. For Redding, it was not only a record for May 31 but also an all-time record for the month of May. Triple-digit heat will hit the Central and San Joaquin valleys of California again Tuesday, with 90s in the foothills.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is keeping an excessive heat warning posted for the area, where highs are forecast to reach 100 to 110 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday in places such as Stockton, Modesto, Redding, Red Bluff, Chico, Fresno, Hanford and Bakersfield.

Temperatures will also be well above normal from southeastern California to the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Highs could exceed 110 degrees in several spots, climbing above 115 in Death Valley.


Truckers could also run into excessive heat Tuesday in southern Oregon, where highs could crack 100 degrees in Medford, Grants Pass and Ashford, as well as parts of far northern California. These areas are under a heat advisory.

Later this week, Boise and other parts of the Treasure Valley in southwestern Idaho could see triple-digit heat. The region is under an excessive heat watch for Thursday.

Other notable weather this week

More periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms will slow down drivers from the southern Plains to the Ohio Valley this week. Localized areas of flash flooding could lead to ramp/road closures. Some storms could become locally severe as far as winds and hail.


Click here for more FreightWaves articles by Nick Austin.

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Nick Austin

Nick is a meteorologist with 20 years of forecasting and broadcasting experience. He was nominated for a Midsouth Emmy for his coverage during a 2008 western Tennessee tornado outbreak. He received his Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Florida State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management from the Georgia Tech. Nick is a member of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association. As a member of the weather team at WBBJ-TV in Jackson, Tennessee, Nick was nominated for a Mid-South Emmy for live coverage of a major tornado outbreak in February 2008. As part of the weather team at WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Nick shared the Chattanooga Times-Free Press Best of the Best award for “Best Weather Team” eight consecutive years.