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How To Stay Cool in Fresno's Record-Busting Triple-Digit Heat
Fresno has set a very uncomfortable record.
Friday saw the city’s temperature reach triple digits for the 22nd-straight day, eclipsing the previous mark of 21 days at or over 100 degrees first set in 2005, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford.
In addition, the weather experts say that Fresno is going to keep adding to that record until early August.
The three-day forecast through Monday reads like the Death Valley version of the movie “Groundhog Day” — 105, 105, 105.
You also could be scrambling to stay cool and save your food if your power suddenly shuts down because of the demand on California’s energy grid.
Even though Fresno temperatures right now are nowhere near the record high, which was set in 1905 at 115 degrees, Jim Bagnall, a meteorologist with the NWS in Hanford, said it has been hot enough to issue a heat advisory. The advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. Sunday. There is an air-quality alert in effect because of the Ferguson Fire as well.
For this time of the year, Bagnall said, the normal high is 99 degrees. He also says that those seeking relief from the heat during the night will be disappointed.
“The overnight lows are adding into what makes the heat more difficult because it is not cooling off a lot at night,” Bagnall said, adding that the overnight lows have been in the low-to-mid 70s. “That just kind of makes it harder for people to recover.”
Cooling Centers
To escape the heat, the city of Fresno has designated four cooling centers. They operate from noon to 8 p.m. whenever the NWS forecasts a high of at least 105 degrees. PG&E helps funds the cooling centers.
The cooling centers are at:
— Frank H Ball Park, 760 Mayor Ave.
— Ted C. Wills Community Center, 770 N. San Pablo Ave.
— Sal Mosqueda Community Center, 4670 E Butler Ave.
— Pinedale Community Center, 7170 N. San Pablo Ave.
The city activates the cooling centers for the entire weekend when the temperature is projected to reach 105 degrees on either Saturday or Sunday. The city’s FAX bus system provides free transportation along normal routes to and from cooling centers. To ride free, residents must indicate they are traveling to a cooling center.
Additional information or assistance with the city of Fresno’s heat relief efforts is available at (559) 621-CITY.
Residents can utilize the Sierra Vista Mall as a cooling center on any day when the NWS predicts Clovis temperatures to be 100 degrees or greater. In such cases, the mall will operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Stay Cool in the Pool
Pools at Fresno, McLane, Sunnyside and Edison high schools will be open from noon to 5 p.m., and Hoover High School from noon to 2 p.m.
Mosqueda, Frank H. Ball and Mary Ella Brown community centers will also open their pools from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The pool at Pinedale Community Center is open from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is free on days when the temperature is 105 degrees or hotter.
How To Cut Your Electricity Bill
For those trying to stay inside as much as possible, Brandi Merlo, a spokesperson for PG&E, said there are ways to save on electric bills.
“Small behavior changes can make a big difference in reducing demand on the power grid, especially during periods of peak heat, and help customers save money all summer long,” Merlo said.
Merlo said some tips include setting a thermostat at 78 degrees or higher when in the home and 85 degrees when leaving the home.
“Setting your thermostat just five degrees higher will save you about 10 percent on your cooling cost,” Merlo said, adding that people should also consider turning on their ceiling fan at the same time.
“When you have your ceiling fan on, you can raise your thermostat typically about four degrees to save energy with no reduction in comfort.”
On days when demand for California’s electricity resources peaks, Merlo said it is best to shift away from or reduce electricity usage between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
