Fresno to bake as heat wave continues
The late summer heat wave will continue to bake Fresno on Thursday and into the weekend, forecasters predict.
Thursday’s high in Fresno is expected to be 104 degrees, following by another 104 on Friday and 102 on Saturday. By Sunday high temperatures finally will relent and fall back to 99 degrees, the National Weather Service says.
The city of Fresno opened its five cooling centers Wednesday, and they will be available again whenever the high is forecast to reach 105 degrees or higher.
Cooling centers will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at these locations:
▪ Ted C. Wills Community Center at 770 N. San Pablo Ave., south of East Olive Avenue near the Tower district;
▪ Frank H. Ball Neighborhood Center at 760 Mayor St., west of Highway 99;
▪ Mosqueda Community Center at 4670 E. Butler Ave. in southeast Fresno;
▪ Pinedale Community Center at 7170 N. San Pablo Ave. near the River Park shopping center;
▪ Romain Neighborhood Park, 745 N. First St.
The city bus system, FAX, will give a free ride to anyone needing transportation to a cooling center. Riders should tell the driver they need delivery to a center.
Besides heat, the excessive smoke from the Rough fire will continue to make for poor air quality. The National Weather Service issued an air quality alert for Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Mariposa counties. It warns those with heart and lung diseases to follow their doctor’s advice for dealing with poor air quality. Older people and children are also susceptible to problems if exposed to smoky conditions.
The Fresno Unified School District restricted outdoor activities for its students Wednesday due to the smoke and heat. The district will continue to evaluate air quality daily during the heat spell.
Another alert – for thunderstorms – was issued Wednesday for the Sierra from Yosemite to Kings Canyon. The NWS said hail, lightning and gusty winds were possible each afternoon and evening through Sunday as a result of subtropical moisture streaming into California.
This story was originally published September 9, 2015 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Fresno to bake as heat wave continues."