Fresno, Calif. – Triple-digit temperatures will grip the Central Valley beginning Friday morning, as a heat advisory takes effect across a wide swath of central California, including Fresno, Bakersfield, and Merced.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, the advisory begins at 11 a.m. Friday and remains in place through 7 a.m. Sunday. Highs could reach 106°F, with the hottest conditions expected Friday afternoon through early Saturday evening. The advisory covers much of the San Joaquin Valley, lower Sierra foothills, and communities along I-5 from Los Banos to Buttonwillow.
Residents should avoid strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat, stay hydrated, and seek air-conditioned spaces. Vulnerable populations—including older adults, children, and outdoor workers—face elevated risks of heat-related illnesses.
Cities like Visalia, Hanford, and Porterville are expected to see prolonged stretches of high heat, while mountain areas like Mariposa and Oakhurst could also climb into the 90s. OSHA recommends frequent shaded breaks for those working outdoors.
This early-season heat wave may strain cooling systems and pose challenges for agriculture and utilities across the region.
Warnings remain in effect through Sunday morning, and more advisories could follow if the pattern persists.
