hot as a firecracker for the Fourth of July?

I know, it's a tired cliche, but I couldn't help myself. It may be as hot as a firecracker on Independence Day, but let's get through this work week first. High pressure remains anchored over the West, and that will continue the triple digit heat for the next couple of days. Yesterday wasn't quite as hot in Chico as predicted, but it still managed to reach 101 degrees under sunny skies. I don't think there was a single cloud in the sky yesterday, which shows how strong this high pressure ridge is. High pressure is, of course, sinking air, and that suppresses any cloud development. To me, the fewer the clouds in the sky, the stronger the high pressure. Anyway, this ridge of high pressure relaxes its grip by the middle of the week, as highs dip into the upper 80s/lower 90s through the early part of the holiday weekend. However, another high pressure ridge takes hold by the latter half of the weekend, causing temps to soar above 100 degrees again for the Fourth. Again, all I can say is to be careful when celebrating outdoors this weekend. It not only will be hot, but also very dry. Don't start any fires with firecrackers. I live just outside of Chico in the Sierra foothills, and I love to sit on my back porch and watch the fireworks displays in Chico. Many people, in fact, drive up Highway 32 into the foothills, find a parking spot at one of the scenic turnabouts, and watch the fireworks down below. It's really cool! Here's the latest forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Northwest wind between 3 and 6 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 65. Calm wind becoming north between 6 and 9 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. North wind between 4 and 7 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 63. South southeast wind between 10 and 13 mph becoming light.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 60.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 60.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 90.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 61.

Independence Day: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101.