Summer is going out with a sizzle, as over 100-degree temperatures are expected through the holiday weekend and into next week.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for Turlock and the whole Northern San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento Valley, Delta and adjacent foothills and mountains starting Saturday and going through Tuesday.
Turlock is forecasted to hit 103 degrees by Thursday and continue to gradually inch up a few degrees each day through Wednesday. According to the NWS, stronger warming is expected to develop Thursday and Friday as the western US ridge extends westward into Northern California, cutting off any remaining onshore influence, and widespread triple digit heat returns to the Central Valley.
What the NWS calls a “very dangerous heat” wave will include extreme afternoon highs, oppressive overnight lows and long duration heat. Daytime highs between 100 to around 113-plus degrees are expected in the lower elevations of the Valley. The hottest days will be Sunday and Monday. Turlock is forecasted to hit 109 degrees on Monday and Tuesday and then stay above the century mark through Sept. 8.
All time September high temperatures could be broken and the Valley could even come close to all time high temperatures in some areas.
Where to stay cool
Those seeking relief from the heat have at least two options in Turlock.
The Turlock Library is air conditioned and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The library is closed on Friday and Sunday. It is located at 550 Minaret Ave.
The Turlock Gospel Mission Day Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located at 432 S. Broadway.
Watch out for heat-related illness
Extreme heat poses a substantial health risk, especially for vulnerable populations including young children, the elderly, those with chronic diseases or disabilities, pregnant women and people who are socially isolated.
Heat-related illness includes: cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and death. Warning signs of heat-related illnesses may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache and nausea. Vomiting, paleness, tiredness and dizziness can also be indicators of heat-related illness.
To prevent overheating, use cool compresses, misting, showers and baths. The California Department of Health urges residents to seek medical attention if experiencing a rapid, strong pulse, a feeling of delirious or for those with a body temperature above 102 degrees.
In areas where air quality is poor, people with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory diseases should reduce or eliminate their outdoor activities, according to state officials.
CDPH offers the following tips to stay safe during this period of excessive heat:
· - Never leave infants, children, elderly or pets in a parked car. It can take as little as 10 minutes for the temperature inside a car to rise to levels that can kill.
· - Drink plenty of water or juice, even if you are not thirsty. Avoid alcohol.
· - If you don’t have air conditioning, visit a cooling center or a public place with air conditioning (such as a shopping mall or library) to cool off for a few hours each day.
· - Avoid outdoor physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day. Reduce exposure to the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest, and keep physical activities to a minimum during that time.
· - Wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover the face and neck, wear loose-fitting clothing to keep cool and to protect your skin from the sun.
· - Regularly check on any elderly relatives or friends who live alone. Many may be on medications which increase likelihood of dehydration.
· - Liberally apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) 15 minutes before venturing outdoors and re-apply at least every two hours – sunscreen may reduce the risk of skin cancer, the number one cancer affecting Californians.
More tips for preventing heat-related illness and tips for treating heat-related illness can be found at: www.cdph.ca.gov/
