Fresno expected to break hot weather records this week — on multiple days. What to know

The high temperature in Fresno on Sunday hit 107 degrees, which, while only tying a record, set the stage for the start of a week, where all-time marks are expected to fall Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and perhaps Thursday.

The National Weather Service in Hanford has forecast a high temperature of 108 degrees for Labor Day, which would break the record of 105 set in 1984 and tied in 2020. It is expected to hit 113 on Tuesday, significantly higher than the record of 106 set in 1923 and tied in 1988. And, the forecast for Fresno on Wednesday is 110 degrees, which would break a record of 108 set in 1904.

The forecast for Thursday is 108, which would tie a record set in 1904. Records could fall in Hanford and Madera, where the forecast highs on Thursday are 108 and 107 degrees and the records 105 and 106.

The all-time high temperature in Fresno could be threatened on Tuesday — it is 115 degrees, set July 8, 1905.

An excessive heat warning for the San Joaquin Valley, Kern County desert, Sierra foothills, Yosemite Valley, Kern River Valley, and Coastal Range has been extended until 8 p.m. Thursday.

Energy crunch feared

California’s power grid faces a potential energy deficit Monday amid the widespread heat wave, raising the prospects of blackouts around the state.

“We are looking at deficits for tomorrow, Monday, in the 2,000 to 4,000 megawatt range between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.,” Elliot Mainzer, chief executive of the Independent System Operator, told reporters Sunday.

The ISO sounded a Flex Alert for a fifth straight day Sunday, with electricity consumers asked to scale back power usage from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. A key component of that request for voluntary action is for people to turn thermostats up to 78 degrees during those hours.

PG&E is positioning crews to respond to potential heat-related power outages in the coming days.

“Widespread heat events pose unique challenges to the state’s energy grid. In addition to the energy supply concerns driving Flex Alerts, sustained high temperatures have the potential to damage electrical equipment, leading to local outages,” the company stated in a Sunday news release.

“PG&E has activated its Emergency Operations Center and is mobilizing the necessary personnel and materials to be able to restore power safely and efficiently.”

Temperatures in the Valley are expected to drop into the 90s by this coming weekend.

Next Saturday’s high in Fresno is forecast for 99. By Sunday, it falls to 93.