Weekend weather to be warm in Merced
The high temperatures in Merced and other parts of Merced County could get into the triple digits this weekend, according to forecasters, as the Merced County Fair hits full stride.
Unseasonably warm temperatures are predicted throughout the weekend. The highs are forecast to climb to more than 10 degrees hotter than the normal high of 88 for this time of year.
“We could hit the century mark on Friday, or more likely Saturday,” said Dan Harty, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford.
The heat will likely still be in full effect when the fair’s gates open to the public at 5 p.m. Friday, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Fair officials have said they expect a good turnout for the food, games and rides, but weather typically affects attendance.
Merced County Fair tickets, which are $7 for general admission, are only available at the fairgrounds box office, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Harty said the Valley is also feeling higher than normal humidity pushed this way by Hurricane Blanca, which traveled up Mexico’s Baja California coast before dying down.
That weather system also caused sporadic thunderstorms throughout the Valley, he said.
Heading into the weekend, thunderstorms are expected in the Sierra and could reach the southeastern part of the Valley, Harty said, but any chance of showers in Merced is slim.
Highs early in the week triggered a warning from California Department of Public Health Director Dr. Karen Smith, who advised California residents to prepare themselves for what could be a very hot, dry summer.
“Because this hot spell has come on rather suddenly, many people may be caught off guard by the warmup,” she said in a statement. “It is important that all Californians take precautions to prevent heat-related illness and stay hydrated.”
In areas with poor air quality, people with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory diseases should minimize outdoor activities, she warned. Summer schools and programs with children who have sensitive conditions should not hold outdoor physical activity and should stay indoors as much as possible.
Extreme heat poses a substantial health risk, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, elderly people, those with chronic diseases, pregnant women, people with disabilities and those who are socially isolated.
Heat-related illnesses include cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and death. Warning signs of heat-related illnesses vary, but may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea or vomiting, paleness, tiredness or dizziness.
Thaddeus Miller: 209-385-2453, @thaddeusmiller
AT A GLANCE
Tips for sun and heat protection
▪ Those without air conditioning should go to a cooling center, library or other public place, such as a shopping mall, to cool off for a few hours each day.
▪ Avoid physical exertion outdoors during the hottest parts of the day. Reduce exposure to the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when ultraviolet rays are strongest, and keep physical activities to a minimum during that time. When working outside, drink plenty of water or juice even if you are not thirsty, and take rest breaks in the shade.
▪ Check on elderly people who live alone every 24 hours; many may be on medications which increase likelihood of dehydration.
▪ To prevent overheating, use cool compresses, misting, showers and baths. Get medical attention if you experience a rapid, strong pulse, feel delirious, or have a body temperature above 102 degrees.
▪ Never leave infants, children or frail elderly unattended in a parked car – it can take as little as 10 minutes for the temperature inside a car to rise to levels that can kill.
▪ Wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover the face and neck, and wear loose-fitting clothing to keep cool and to protect your skin from the sun and mosquitoes.
▪ Wear sunglasses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Chronic exposure to the sun can cause cataracts, which left untreated can lead to blindness.
▪ Liberally apply sunscreen 15 minutes before venturing outdoors and reapply at least every two hours. Sunscreen may reduce the risk of skin cancer, the No.1 cancer affecting Californians. Sunscreen may also prevent premature aging.
Source: California Department of Public Health
This story was originally published June 11, 2015 at 3:06 PM with the headline "Weekend weather to be warm in Merced."