... Watch out for hot temperatures and cold water later this week...
An unusually strong high pressure ridge will build into northern California by the middle of the week and persist through the weekend. High temperatures will be as much as 20 degrees above seasonal normals by Thursday throughout northern interior California... with some near record or record temperatures possible. Maximum temperatures in the Central Valley and Delta Region could soar to around 100 degrees by Thursday while the foothills... northeast plateau... and lower portions of Lake County may reach the upper 80s and 90s. Even at 6000 feet in the mountains some areas will creep into the 80s.
Temperatures in the 80s can cause heat fatigue with prolonged exposure or physical activity. As temperatures increase... heat exhaustion and heat cramps become likely and heat stroke is possible... especially for people who are sitting in full sun drinking alcohol for hours on end or who are involved in rigorous physical activity.
All heat-related illnesses are preventable. Common techniques for beating the heat include taking cooling breaks until you feel rested... drinking plenty of water... and avoiding physical exertion during the hottest hours of the day.
At the same time... rivers and streams will be running quickly with cold water... due to recent snowmelt. This will cause lower elevation reservoirs... rivers and streams to have dangerously cold water. Therefore... the combination of the high temperatures and this cold water can create dangerous situations. People wading... rafting or fishing in these cold waters become victims of the cold water every year... either through hypothermia or drowning in fast-moving water.
Water temperatures in the 40s and 50s can bring on a sudden loss of body temperature. This is called hypothermia. The expected time before exhaustion or unconsciousness sets in for a healthy adult may be as little as 30 to 60 minutes. Hypothermia normally occurs faster in children than adults.
Fire Weather Watch
Statement as of 5:00 PM PDT on May 12, 2008
... Fire Weather Watch remains in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning...
A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning.
North winds will increase to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 40 mph Wednesday afternoon. The gusty winds will turn to the east Thursday morning and continue into Friday morning. The gusty winds combined with the poor overnight humidity recoveries and low daytime humidities will create critical fire weather conditions Wednesday through Friday morning.
Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Fire Weather Watch.
= Probability of Precipitation
