The first extended – and potentially dangerous – heat wave of the early summer season is predicted to arrive in the Central Valley this week. The Excessive Heat Watch area includes Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon and many other Valley communities.

The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued the watch from Thursday, June 17 from noon, Pacific Daylight Time, to Saturday, June 19 at 9 p.m., PDT.

The watch area covers the northern San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento Valley and adjacent foothills as well as other regions including the Carquinez Strait and Delta, and the Motherlode.

Dangerously hot conditions will return to northern California, said National Weather Service forecasters, with high pressure over the Desert Southwest building west over California later in the week, resulting in widespread triple digit temperatures.

Officials said this will possibly be record-breaking heat and the extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses.

High temperatures throughout the Valley are predicted to soar well into the triple digits by Thursday, June 17 with some areas in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys approaching 110 to 112 degrees for both Thursday and Friday.

The hot afternoon temperatures, combined with overnight lows dropping only to the upper 60s to low 80s, will contribute to the widespread high to very high heat risk.

Residents are encouraged to monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on the situation. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly or those with special health needs.