Fresno 1 degree off record high. That’ll seem cool as temperatures keep climbing

Record-breaking heat is expected to hit the Fresno area Wednesday as temperatures continue to rise throughout the week.

Tuesday’s high temperature of 102 degrees missed the record for the date (set in 1974) by 1 degree, said Jerald Meadows, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service’s Hanford office.

The weather service forecasts a high of 106 in Fresno on Wednesday which would exceed the record for the date of 104, also set in 1974.

Thursday is expected to reach at least 106 again, which would challenge the record for the date of 107 set in 1984.

An excessive heat warning will be in effect through Thursday.

Friday’s forecast high is 102, and Meadows said high temperatures are expected to cool to the 80s by early next week.

Cooling centers

With the heat rising this week, the city of Fresno will open cooling centers Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Ted C. Wills Community Center, 770 N. San Pablo Ave., and the Frank H. Ball Neighborhood Center, 760 Mayor Ave.

According to a news release, cooling center workers will follow state guidelines for social distancing, sanitation and health screening and will have protective facial covering available for all visitors.

In addition to opening the cooling centers, the city’s FAX bus system will provide free transportation along normal routes to and from cooling center sites when the centers are open. To ride free, residents must indicate they are traveling to a cooling center.

Elsewhere:

▪ Hanford will open its cooling center at the Longfield Center, 560 S. Douty St., from 1 to 8 p.m.

▪ Madera will open its cooling center at the John W. Wells Youth Center Gymnasium, 701 E. 5th St., from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Friday.

▪ Merced will have a cooling zone from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Sam Pipes Room in City Hall, 678 W. 18th St.

This story was originally published May 26, 2020 at 6:24 PM.