People, crops and livestock enjoying cooler July temperatures

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Central California is enjoying a rare break from the summer heat with temperatures in the 80s.

Golfers took to the greens at Madera Municipal Golf Course on Wednesday to soak in the cooler weather.

"It's a lot more fun to come out here and play when it's 80, 90 than when it's in the hundreds. I'll take this weather any day of the week," golfer, Larry Casado said.

"If I could get my score as low as the weather, I'd be really happy," golfer Martin Bison said.

While this kind of weather is unusual for late July, it's not unheard of, like in July 2023.

"We did see a high of 89, but it was earlier in the month, so it does get more unusual as we get into late July," Action News AM Live Meteorologist Christine Gregory explained.

Compared to last year, these temperatures feel like a relief.

"When you look at last July, we had 27 days in triple digits. This year, we've only had six," Gregory stated.

Ryan Jacobsen with the Fresno County Farm Bureau says that heat may have played a factor in cherry production.

"The bloom period looked okay, but it was based off most likely the bud damage done by those late heat waves we had," Jacobsen explained.

This year's cooler conditions are beneficial for cherries and other crops.

"Most of our crops are slightly faster than average at this point, which I know surprises a lot of people," he said. "They think the hotter the better, but when you get over 102 degrees, believe it or not, the plants actually start to shut down."

And it's not just crops benefiting -- livestock are feeling the difference too.

"In addition to misters and fans, those cows are very comfortable in the temperatures we're seeing right now," Jacobsen stated.

Jacobsen and many others across the Valley hope these below-average temperatures stick around a bit longer.

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