Building heat could challenge record high temperatures over interior California this weekend
A young bald eagle the public watched hatch online in the Big Bear area has made its first flight. A San Bernardino National Forest spokesman says the juvenile male let out a call at 6:19 a.m. Tuesday and flew off screen. Bald eagles typically make their first flight between 10 and 12 weeks of age, but this one waited until he was 14 weeks old.
As temperatures trend upward across interior California and Nevada, record high temperatures will be challenged this weekend.
This weekend's weather will be the hottest yet this summer in the area and will likely have people flocking to pools, lakes or cooler beaches and mountains.
"As an area of high pressure strengthens and builds northward over California this weekend, temperatures will be on the rise," AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson said. "The hottest locations relative to normal are likely to be over the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, with many locations around 10 degrees above normal."
While midsummer heat isn't uncommon to this area, with average highs in the 90s and 100s F, the weekend pattern will put record books to the test.
Fresno is on track to challenge Sunday's record high of 110 degrees Fahrenheit set in 1980.
Temperatures in Lancaster and Modesto, California, and Reno, Nevada, could also hit record levels during the weekend heat.
The level of heat anticipated this weekend is likely to stop well short of the highest mark every recorded for any date. At Sacramento, Fresno and Lancaster, that mark is 115. In Reno, the mark is 106.
At Death Valley, California, where the all-time highest temperature in the world was recorded at 134, the temperature is forecast to max out near 120 on Sunday and Monday. The all-time record at Death Valley occurred on July 10, 1913.
Factoring in sunshine, wind versus calm conditions, humidity and other variables, the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will be several degrees higher than the actual thermometer readings.
"Residents will need to stay hydrated and spend as much time as possible in an air-conditioned environment," Adamson said.
Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest times of the day if at all possible. Whenever outdoors, wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and take frequent breaks in the shade. Remember to double-check vehicles before walking away to ensure children or pets have not been left behind.
Anyone heading into the mountains to enjoy some cooler weather will need to be wary of thunderstorms erupting each afternoon, especially over the Rockies and Wasatch Range.
Next week, the heat is expected to lessen its grip across California as temperatures return to more typical levels for the end of July and beginning of August.
Download the free AccuWeather app to know the exact forecast for your area. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
