Record-breaking temperatures could hit Fresno on Wednesday

A series of storms are expected to hit the central San Joaquin Valley starting on Thursday night and lasting throughout the weekend, but not before the possibility of record-breaking temperatures on Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Hanford said.

If predictions are correct, Wednesday will be the hottest day this year so far, flirting with the low 90’s. If Fresno’s high hits 92 or higher it will either tie or beat the record for the date set in 1989.

Even though Monday brought a slight cooling from the weekend, temperatures were still around 10 degrees warmer than normal, according to the National Weather Service. By Wednesday, temperatures will increase to about 15-20 degrees above normal as a high pressure system moves over the Valley.

Widespread showers are expected throughout the weekend, starting on Thursday night in Kern County before moving throughout the rest of the Valley. The exact timing of showers and precipitation is still uncertain, but the National Weather Service said that snow levels are expected to drop to around 8,000 feet on Saturday morning.

The weather service urges those to practice water safety. Even though temperatures are warmer than usual, river water temperatures remain frigid as snow-melt accelerates, creating conditions susceptible for hypothermia.

This story was originally published April 4, 2016 at 8:51 PM with the headline "Record-breaking temperatures could hit Fresno on Wednesday."