‘Extreme heat’ is on the way to Merced. Here’s when & where it will get hot

Time to crank up the air conditioner.

Scorching hot temperatures are on the way to Merced, 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 Merced:

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 Merced?

The Merced 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 Merced, the chances of triple-digit scorchers are climbing.

There is a 15% chance of maximum temperatures reaching over 105 degrees on Friday, a 10% chance on Saturday and a 2% chance on Sunday, according to the weather serivce forecast.

What’s in the weather forecast for Merced?

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 89 degrees and an overnight low temperature around 61.

Light winds will range between 5 to 15 mph, the weather service said.

On Tuesday, the high will be near 92, while the low will be around 61.

Winds will continue, ranging between 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday will see a high of approximately 96 degrees and a low near 66, with winds ranging from 5 to 20 mph.

High temperatures could climb to 101 by Thursday, then hit 104 on Friday.

The weekend will stay hot, with temperatures peaking around 103 degrees on Saturday and 101 degrees on Sunday.

Who’s most at risk in heat?

Starting Thursday, Merced’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 “major.”

Major heat risk “affects anyone without cooling/hydration as well as health systems and industries,” 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.”

Angela Rodriguez

The Modesto Bee

279-386-2738

Angela Rodriguez is a service journalism reporter for The Bee. She is a graduate of Sacramento State with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. During her time there, she worked on the State Hornet covering arts and entertainment.