A very brief, but very welcome, break in the string of triple-digit temperature days is forecast to arrive in the Fresno region by Saturday night, bringing cooler overnight temperatures that will be downright refreshing.

The National Weather Service office in Hanford is forecasting highs in the upper 90s on Sunday and Monday before a return to triple-digit weather next week.

Meteorologist David Spector says we can thank a large trough pushing into the Pacific Northwest with dislodging the heat dome that’s been parked over the Great Basin region and keeping us in summer’s oven.

At the rate we’re accumulating triple-digit days — two in May, 11 in June, 21 in July, and 16 so far in August as of Wednesday — the record of 69 days that was set just last year could be in jeopardy, Spector said.

“We’ve had a trend of some hot Septembers in recent years past,” he said.

August Hotter Than Usual

So far this month the average temperature in Fresno is 86.8 degrees, hotter than last month’s average of 85.7 degrees. July typically is a hotter month than August, and Spector said he couldn’t explain why August may claim that dubious honor this year.

Altogether, “we’re running four to five degrees above average so far this month,” he said.

According to National Weather Service records, the historical average temperature for Fresno in August is 82.2 degrees and July’s historical average is 83.5. Last month’s average was 85.7 degrees.

Monday’s forecast low of 62 degrees would be the coolest since July 4, when the low was 60 degrees. So if you’re the type who likes to open windows to draw in cooler air overnight, plan for it early Sunday and early Monday mornings.