Temperatures that could soar well into the triple digits are possible over the weekend, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an excessive heat watch for the region.
The affected area includes the Sacramento Valley, northern San Joaquin Valley, Delta, and adjacent foothills and mountains. The excessive heat watch will be in effect from Saturday morning, Sept. 3 through Tuesday evening, Sept. 6. The predicted high heat could put a damper on plans for the long Labor Day holiday.
Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 112 degrees are possible, according to National Weather Service forecasters.
Locally, the temperatures are predicted to start climbing into the triple digits by Thursday, Sept. 1 when the forecast calls for a high of 104 degrees. The same is predicted for Friday, with 105 possible on Saturday, up to 107 for Sunday and 110 for Monday. The long range forecast also includes a possible high of 108 degrees for Tuesday, Sept. 6 and another triple digit day on Wednesday, Sept. 7 before it drops down to just under 100 by Thursday, Sept. 8.
In Oakdale, the public library on South First Avenue is a designated “cooling center,” according to Stanislaus County officials, and residents seeking some respite from the heat can stop in at the library during regular hours.
Library hours are Monday, 12 p.m. to 6 pm.; Tuesday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Friday and Sunday. The library, at 151 S. First, will also be closed on Monday, Sept. 5 in observance of the Labor Day holiday, when the local temperatures could reach 110 degrees.
Forecasters list the impacts of this heat event as being able to significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities over the holiday weekend.
Hottest days are forecast to occur Sunday and Monday. There will be limited overnight relief from the heat, with lows in the upper 60s to mid-80s, forecasters said.
“Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this situation. Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the National Weather Service indicated in its advisory. “Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.”