MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–The National Weather Service Hanford Office has issued an Excessive Heat Warning. The warning is in effect through the next week. Areas included are the San Joaquin Valley, the West Side Hills, the Sierra Nevada Foothills, and the Kern County Mountains and Desert. The warning may need to be extended further as the week progresses due to continued dangerous heat.
Overnight recoveries will also be poor, especially in urban areas. The overnight lows will be greater than 75 degrees, some areas may even see lows no lower than 80 degrees. This is a dangerous and prolonged heat wave that will last several days with an Extreme Heat Risk.
Along with the heat comes elevated fire danger. The risk of grass fires will continue with a long period of excessive heat, minimum relative humidity near 15%, and poor overnight recoveries.
The NWS warns residents and visitors to the area that local rivers and streams are running swift and cold. They can be very dangerous, even for experienced swimmers.
Warm air temperatures do NOT mean warm water temperatures! Keep in mind, cold water VERY quickly removes heat from the body, creating loss of dexterity. Water temperatures under 70 degrees takes around 30 minutes for loss of dexterity, under 60 degrees takes 10 to 15 minutes, and under 50 degrees can take less than 5 minutes. Play it smart around rivers and streams.
Heat is typically the leading cause of weather-related fatalities each year. Heat waves have the potential to cover a large area, exposing a high number of people to a hazardous combination of heat and humidity, which can be very taxing on the body. Learn how to stay safe during a heat wave at weather.gov/heat
Cooling Site Locations
Madera County
Due to the high temperatures expected throughout this week and through the weekend, cooling centers will open in Mariposa County at the following locations from Wednesday, July 3rd through Tuesday, July 9th.
All Library locations will be open from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (in addition to regular days and hours).
McKay Hall, 2820 Hwy 140, Cathey’s Valley Hours 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
