Special Weather Statement
... Hot weather to return to the central California interior...
An upper level ridge of high pressure will bring unseasonably hot
temperatures to the central California interior this week. High
temperatures in the San Joaquin Valley... the Sierra foothills and
the Kern deserts will be in the 98 to 105 degree range
Monday... warming to the 100 to 110 degree range Tuesday through
Friday. In the Kern County deserts... the warmest spots could reach
113 degrees Wednesday and Thursday. Even Yosemite Valley could
see highs in the 100 to 103 degree range Tuesday through Thursday.
The air will be dry... and heat indexes will be a few degrees
cooler than the air temperature. However... heat indexes in most
valley and desert locations will be in the 100 to 108 degree range
for a few hours each afternoon and evening Tuesday through
Thursday... with the warmest locations in the foothills having heat
indexes around 100. This may aggravate some health
conditions... especially for children... the elderly or other
sensitive groups.
Here are some tips to help you Cope with the coming heat.
Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. When possible... stay in the
shade or an air conditioned room. Wear loose fitting... light
colored clothes. Drink plenty of non alcoholic fluids.
Never leave children or pets in a vehicle... even for short periods
of time. Temperatures inside vehicles can climb rapidly to life
threatening levels... even with windows partially open.
Periodically check on children and the elderly. Also... remember
that animals will be affected by the heat. Make sure that pets
and farm animals have plenty of water and access to shade.
If you are planning to travel into the southern Sierra Nevada for
relief from the heat... remember that the increased flow in mountain
rivers... streams and creeks has its own hazards. Even though a
stream or river looks cool and inviting... the water is actually
very cold and may be dangerously fast. Outdoor enthusiasts are
advised to use extreme caution near streams and rivers. If you are
planning on camping... remember that the highest water levels occur
at night... usually within an hour or two either side of midnight. A
campground may look dry and safe in the late afternoon... but can
take on water at night.
If you are rafting or boating on rivers or streams... always wear
life jackets or vests... and keep other flotation gear handy. Be
alert for the dangers of hypothermia if you or others fall into the
water... get to safety as quickly as possible.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio... or your favorite news
source... for updates on this situation.
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