The calendar may not signify the official beginning of summer for a few more weeks, but the temperatures are another matter.

The area is expecting to see a string of 100-plus degree days over the rest of the week, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast.

Today’s high is expected to hit 99 degrees, which could be the last time the area records temperatures below 100 degrees for the next few days.

Thursday’s high is expected to be 101 degrees, which would best the previous high record of 100 degrees set in Turlock on that day in 1996, according to Intellicast.

The National Weather Service is predicting a high of 103 degrees on Friday, which would also set a new record for Turlock. The current highest temperature recorded on that day is 102 degrees set in 1996.

By all appearances Saturday will be the hottest day in this early heat wave. The National Weather Service is predicting a high of 103 degrees, while the Turlock Irrigation District is forecasting a high of 107 degrees that day. Either way, the record of 99 degrees set on June 4, 1992, is likely to fall.

Sunday’s temperatures are expected to be hot, with a high of 102 degrees, but are also bringing in a chance of thunderstorms and showers during the day and into the evening, according to the 10-day forecast from TID.

The 100 degree days is expected to snap by Monday when the high is predicted to hit 96 degrees. By Tuesday of next week the area has a chance of seeing a more pleasurable high of 88 degrees, according to TID’s forecast.

While the days will be hot, the nighttime temperatures for the area over the next week are forecasted to be in the low to high 60s, except on Saturday night when the low is predicted to be 73 degrees, according to TID.

Residents finding themselves without any relief from the heat can go to one of the cooling centers in Turlock and the surrounding areas, including all of the Stanislaus County libraries.

The rising temperatures can cause serious heat-related issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends these tips to avoid health problems:

·         Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask your doctor how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

·         Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.

·         Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.

·         Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.

·         Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

·         Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

·         Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:

o    Infants and young children

o    People aged 65 or older

o    People who have a mental illness

o    Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure

·         Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

If you must be out in the heat:

·         Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

·         Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.  A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage. Remember the warning in the first “tip” (above), too.

·         Try to rest often in shady areas.

·         Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).