‘Extreme heat’ is on the way to Fresno. Here’s when — and how hot will it be
Get ready to crank up the air conditioner.
Scorching hot temperatures are on the way to Fresno, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather agency has issued an extreme heat watch for the area.
Residents across central California — including Atwater, Merced and Fresno — can expect dangerously hot conditions with temperatures ranging over 100 degrees and widespread major heat risks.
Here’s what’s in store for Fresno:
When will excessive heat watch be in effect?
The excessive heat watch will be in effect from 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, through 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, according to the National Weather Service.
“Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events,” the weather agency said in the heat watch. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”
How high will temperatures get in Fresno?
The Fresno area was bracing for a hot stretch over the weekend.
“We have a warming trend this week with next weekend looking like another one,” the National Weather Service said on X. “There is a 15 to 65 percent chance of highs of at least 105 in the Valley on Friday and Saturday.”
In Fresno, the chances of triple-digit scorchers are climbing.
There is a 10% chance of maximum temperatures reaching over 105 degrees on Thursday, a 65% chance on Friday, a 55% chance on Saturday and a 20% chance on Sunday, according to the weather serivce forecast.
What’s in the weather forecast for Fresno?
This week will be scorching, according to the National Weather Service’s latest seven-day weather forecast.
Monday’s forecast called for clear, sunny skies with a high temperature near 92 degrees and an overnight low temperature around 65.
Light winds will range between 5 to 15 mph, the weather service said.
On Tuesday, the high will be near 94, while the low will be around 66.
Winds will continue, ranging between 5 to 15 mph.
Wednesday will see a high of approximately 97 degrees and a low near 70, with winds ranging from 5 to 15 mph.
High temperatures could climb to 102 by Thursday, then hit 106 on Friday.
The weekend will stay hot, with temperatures peaking around 106 degrees on Saturday and 104 degrees on Sunday.
Who’s most at risk in heat?
Starting Thursday, Fresno’s heat risk will be moderate, the weather service said.
The heat risk scale provides a forecast that shows the likelihood of heat-related problems occurring.
The scale calculates how hot it is compared to normal, how long the heat lasts and whether it’s likely to cause health issues based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It ranges from 0, meaning there’s little or no heat risk, to 4, indicating an extreme heat risk.
These conditions will persist through Sunday, Aug. 24, with the heat risk increasing to “extreme.”
Extreme heat risk affects “anyone without cooling/hydration as well as health systems, industries, and infrastructure,” the National Weather Service said.
There will be “little to no relief at night,” the agency said in an X post on Sunday, Aug. 18.
“Air conditioning is necessary,” the weather agency said. “Fans and open windows at night will not be enough.”
