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This is a briefing from the National Weather Service forecast office in Hanford, CA. This
briefing covers the ongoing heat wave gripping the southwestern US. It looks like we are
getting past the peak of the heat wave, although it will still be uncomfortably hot for a few
more days. Anyone with activities planned through the holiday weekend should be prepared
for the excessive heat. Monitor our website at weather.gov/hanford. You can also interact
with us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Here�s the big picture of what�s going
on with the weather. A large area of high pressure is centered over Nevada. This dome
of high pressure continues to keep a lid on the deep well of hot air over the region.
Meanwhile a tap of tropical moisture continues to move north from the Baja region. The moisture
will not cool us off. It will actually bring waves of thunderstorm activity to the southern
Sierra Nevada along with abnormally humid conditions in the lower elevations.
Just taking a quick look at the national hazards map for the western US in effect at this time,
and you can see the scope of the heat wave across the southwestern united states. There
are also flash flood concerns in the Tahoe region to the north of Yosemite. Most of California
and Nevada are still under excessive heat alerts, as well. These conditions will persist
through the 4th of July. Zooming in a bit now, let�s look at our
detailed hazards viewer for. As you can see, the excessive heat warning extends to include
the deep canyons and river valleys of the southern sierra and tehachapi mountains. Places
like Yosemite valley, Kings Canyon, Sequoia National Park, and the Kern River Canyon,
will be excessively hot, and dangerously so! Use caution if you have recreation plans in
these areas! Heat illness is a serious problem in the united states. In fact, excessive heat
is the number one weather killer in the U.S.. Let�s look now at the timing of the heat
wave. Extreme heat conditions will continue through July 4th. There will be little relief
at night with temperatures staying above 80 degrees in the downtown areas of cities. Temps
at and above 100 may continue through the weekend!
So let�s talk a little more about those impacts. Our most vulnerable populations to
the heat wave, the elderly, children, those with certain medical conditions, the homeless,
and those without adequate air conditioning. Our pets and livestock are also vulnerable.
Thunderstorms will be possible in the Sierra Nevada, so be alert to rapidly changing conditions
there along with a threat of deadly lightning. By the way, NEVER leave a pet, child, or elderly
person in your vehicle during hot conditions, not even for a minute!
Although the hottest part of the heat wave appears to be behind us now, it will still
be hot for the 4th, and in fact above normal temps will persist through the weekend! So,
again, plan accordingly for these hot conditions. Do not take any risks when it comes to your
safety. Remember that while it�s hot every summer in central California, these excessively
hot conditions will set the stage for heat illness if necessary precautions are not taken!
This concludes today�s weather briefing from the National Weather Service in Hanford.
Thanks again for taking the time to tune into the National Weather Service, San Joaquin
Valley, Hanford, California Youtube channel! We�ll talk to you again sometime soon.