The National Weather Service says Bakersfield had its second hottest year on record in 2017.

Meteorologist Jim Andersen says it’s at least partly due to the so-called “heat island effect”, where home builders use more heat-trapping concrete. Andersen says a drier winter, less fog, warm southerly flow winds, and high pressure systems that sat over us for days are also responsible.

Bakersfield had more than 60 days reach 100-degrees or more last year.

Kelli Pierce