Holiday weekend likely to be disgustingly — and dangerously — hot, dry in Modesto area
As this Labor Day holiday weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, it’s going to be disgustingly and dangerously hot.
The National Weather Service forecasts daytime highs of 105 to 109 degrees for Modesto over the three-day weekend. Don’t expect a break from the heat when the sun goes down — the weather service is forecasting overnight lows of 73 to 79 degrees.
“When you have those really high overnight temperatures, it’s hard to get relief,” said Katrina Hand, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Sacramento office, on Tuesday. “... It definitely will be impactful for the entire population.”
Hand said Modesto’s normal temperatures this time of the year are daytime highs of 91 or 92 with overnight lows of 60 or 61.
The weather service’s Sacramento office has the entire region it covers, from Redding to Modesto and the nearby foothills and mountains, under an excessive heat warning from Saturday morning through Tuesday evening. It says there is very high risk of heat stress or illness not just for vulnerable groups but the entire population.
A list of precautions from the NWS Sacramento office says to avoid being outside in the sun from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and to use air conditioning if you have access to it because “fans may not be adequate.”
The Bay Area and other parts of California also are predicted to be very hot.
Hand said it will be very dry over the holiday weekend, with light breezes and occasional wind gusts of 15 to 20 mph. In other words, fire weather.
Stanislaus County posted on social media Monday a list of cooling centers countywide for residents seeking relief in the heatwave. The list includes libraries, community centers and city halls. But they offer limited hours. For instance, the Modesto library branch is closed Sunday, and all libraries are closed Monday for the holiday, according to the Stanislaus County Library website.
County spokeswoman Sonya Severo said the county is updating its cooling centers list. The update was not available by The Bee’s deadline.
People can seek relief at the Modesto Gospel Mission’s day program. Executive Director Jason Conway said the program is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, including over the three-day holiday weekend.
The program provides case management for the mission’s shelter clients, but Conway said anyone wanting to keep cool is welcome. They don’t have to participate in the program, and the mission will offer them water and something to eat.
Conway said people also can spend the night at the mission if they don’t have other options to stay cool.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department is expecting large holiday crowds at Woodward and Modesto reservoirs. Sheriff’s Sgt. Luke Schwartz said authorities are expecting about 40,000 people at Woodward and 15,000 to 20,000 at Modesto. He said that’s how many people flocked to the reservoirs over the last Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays.
He said before the pandemic and its restrictions, Woodward would draw about 20,000 people over a three-day holiday weekend, and Modesto would draw 10,000 to 15,000. He said the Sheriff’s Department is ramping up staffing in anticipation of the huge crowds.
Schwartz said deputies, community service officers and others assigned to the reservoirs will encourage people to enjoy their holiday safely. He said that includes watching how much alcohol they drink, swimming with a buddy, wearing life jackets, drinking plenty of water, keeping cool by staying in the shade and keeping an eye on their children.
The Turlock Lake State Recreation Area remains closed as authorities work to find an operator for the site.
The National Weather Service is predicting a high of 102 degrees for Thursday with an overnight low of 71. Friday is expected to be 102 with a low of 72.
Hand said Saturday is expected to have a daytime high of 105 to 107 with an overnight low of 73 to 76. Sunday is expected to have a daytime high of 105 to 107 with an overnight low of 77 to 79. Monday is expected to be 107 to 109 with a low of 73 to 77. The forecast for Tuesday is a daytime high of 105 to 106 and an overnight low of 72 to 75.
The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency said the extreme temperatures pose a high risk of heat-related illness for county residents, pets and livestock. The risk of illness is especially high with extended exposure to the heat outdoors and for people who are heat sensitive or don’t have a cooling system at home, the agency said.
The county agency has advice for preventing heat-related deaths and illness:
▪ Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
▪ Stay indoors in an air-conditioned place or shopping mall and check the news for cooling zones.
▪ Electric fans are helpful but won’t prevent heat-related illness when the temperatures are in triple digits.
▪ Take a cool shower or bath.
▪ Try to limit outdoor activities to the morning or evening hours when it’s cooler.
▪ Monitor those who are at high risk including infants and young children, adults 65 years or older, people with chronic illness such as heart disease or people who take medication for depression or poor circulation.
More advice about dealing with extreme heat is available at Stanemergency.com.
