Includes Mariposa, Oakhurst and Yosemite Valley

August 18, 2020 - The National Weather Service Hanford Office reports near record heat will continue to impact the San Joaquin Valley, Sierra Nevada foothills, West Side Hills, and Kern County desert, resulting in a very high heat risk for heat-related illnesses.

Heat events like this are rare for this area.

Heat-related impacts are very likely if precautions are not taken.

Plan to take action to reduce time outdoors, drink plenty water, and remain in air-conditioned buildings.

This heat could be deadly for heat-sensitive groups, such as the elderly, young children, and those with chronic ailments.

In addition, this heat may be deadly for those who do not take the proper precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.

As always, never, ever leave a child or pet in an enclosed automobile.

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  Area Forecast Discussion 
  National Weather Service Hanford CA 
  311 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2020 
   
  .SYNOPSIS... 
  Dangerous heat will persist across most of Central California 
  through at least Thursday. Temperatures will remain above  
  seasonal values Friday through Monday. A few strong thunderstorms 
  are possible in the Sierra Nevada, Kern County mountains, and Kern 
  County desert this afternoon. A few strong thunderstorms are 
  conceivable in the Sierra Nevada Wednesday afternoon.  
   
  && 
   
  .DISCUSSION... 
  A large anticyclone aloft will be centered near the Nevada/Utah 
  border today through Wednesday. The high temperatures in Fresno  
  and Bakersfield this afternoon should fall just short of daily  
  record values. Meanwhile, record heat is expected in Merced,  
  Hanford, and Madera today. Maximum temperatures Wednesday  
  afternoon should fall just short of daily record values at all  
  locations. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect for the San 
  Joaquin Valley, Sierra Nevada foothills, West Side Hills, and  
  Kern County desert until Thursday evening. A few strong  
  thunderstorms are conceivable in the Sierra Nevada, Kern County  
  mountains, and Kern County desert this afternoon. A few strong  
  thunderstorms are possible in the Sierra Nevada Wednesday  
  afternoon. Strong, gusty west to northwest winds may impact a  
  portion of the Kern County mountains and desert Wednesday  
  afternoon and Wednesday evening. A Wind Advisory may be required  
  for this area.  
   
  The aforementioned, upper-level area of high pressure will shift 
  southward Wednesday night. This sizable anticyclonic aloft should 
  remain anchored over the Desert Southwest Thursday through Monday. 
  Maximum temperatures Thursday afternoon will be about five degrees 
  lower than Wednesday afternoon. High temperatures Friday afternoon 
  should be around five degrees above normal for this time of year. 
  Maximum temperatures Saturday afternoon will be seven to nine  
  degrees above their typical values for the latter half of August.  
  High temepratures Sunday afternoon and Monday afternoon should be  
  around ten degrees above normal for this time of year. A Heat  
  Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning may be required for most of  
  Central California Saturday through Monday. 

Source: NWS