Thread: Heat Wave Originating in North Africa Engulfs Much of Spain

Heat Wave Originating in North Africa Engulfs Much of Spain

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSJUNE 27, 2015, 12:31 P.M. E.D.T.

MADRID — Weather stations across Spain are warning people to take extra precautions as a heat wave engulfs much of the country, increasing the risk of wildfires.

The country's meteorological agency says a mass of hot air originating in Africa is moving northwards, bringing with it until at least Monday temperatures reaching 40 C (104 F).

Northeastern Catalonia's meteorological service says in a statement Saturday that the heat brings with it "a particularly high risk of forest fires" in the districts of Barcelona and Girona.

The region's government has banned the use of firework rockets within 500 meters of wooded areas and is asking smokers to not throw away cigarette butts.

It is advising everyone to remain hydrated throughout the day and to avoid drinking alcohol.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015...heat-wave.html

JUNE 26, 2015

CA. Fresno hits 107 degrees, hottest day of the year

Mild relief in Saturday forecast, better on Sunday, then back to triple digits

Fresnans find different ways to escape heat
People take advantage of free cooling centers and pools

Abby Marheineke, 11, right, of Aptos, and her cousin Bell Braun, 5, of Fresno, try to stay cool under the misters at River Park shopping center in Fresno, California, on June 26, 2015. | SILVIA FLORES sflores@fresnobee.com

BY MICHAEL OLINGER
molinger@fresnobee.com

The central San Joaquin Valley roasted through its hottest day of the year Friday, hitting a high of 107 in Fresno.
It was even hotter in other spots, reaching a Valley high of 109 in north Clovis, meteorologist Gary Sanger of the National Weather Service in Hanford said.

The record high for June 26 is 108, which was set back in 1993.

Relief — at least in the form of a few degrees — is due Saturday, meteorologist Jim Anderson at the National Weather Service said. The NWS is forecasting a high on Saturday of 102 before things cool off on Sunday with an expected high of 98. Temperatures are expected to soar back into the triple digits on Monday, though, with a high of 102 and to stay above 100 through at least Thursday.
Friday added to an already broiling month of June, topped by highs of 106 at the official Fresno gauge on June 8 and June 13.

By noon Friday, people at River Park Shopping Center in north Fresno were already figuring out ways to beat the heat. Fresno native Magi Guice, 57, was winding down her day in the sun.

“If I have to do anything when it’s this hot, I do it really early in the morning,” said Guice, who was up at 6 a.m. Friday to tend her garden while it was still cool. “If I can’t get it done early, it doesn’t get done until the next day.”
She popped over to River Park just long enough to grab lunch for her family.

IF I HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WHEN IT’S THIS HOT, I DO IT REALLY EARLY IN THE MORNING.

Magi Guice, who rose Friday at 6 a.m. to work in her garden

John Garcia, 64, of Fresno, turned to Hollywood to save him from the heat.

“I’m going to the movies, that’s how I’m dealing with it,” said Garcia as he ducked in to a matinee of an IMAX presentation of “Jurassic World” at the Edwards Fresno Stadium 22 complex. “I stay out of the heat any way I can.”

Sometimes high temperatures are worth enduring, though, if it is to do something you love. Noelle Logan, 31, of Fresno, is an amateur photographer. She came to River Park on Friday to take pictures of flowers and plants.

“It is worth it dealing with the heat to get out and do something that isn’t boring,” said Logan as she snapped pictures outside of Dai Bai Dang Asian Bistro, which had the misters surrounding its patio on.

While those at River Park waged war on the heat by running home or escaping to the movies, at the Frank H. Ball Neighborhood Center, west of downtown, Fresnans were taking advantage of one of the city’s five cooling centers and its adjacent pool.

Cooling centers opened from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, and public pools were open and free to residents from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. FAX offers free rides to and from cooling centers.

Residents need only indicate that they are heading to a cooling center to ride for free.

“We had a bunch of people here earlier today when the cooling center opened,” said Dave Harvey, a recreation specialist at the Neighborhood Center. “As soon as the pool opened they jumped right in.”

Cheree Stanfield, 29, of Fresno, was happy to take advantage of the cool waters.

“We’re just splashing in the water to stay cool today,” said Stanfield, who was with friends at the time. “We just sit out here and talk and laugh and cool down. It’s fun.”

Many kids at Frank H. Ball on Friday seemed to echo Stanfield’s sentiments, like 4-year-old Malik Kynaei of Fresno.

“I love this pool!” said Kynaei.

Michael Olinger: 559-441-6141

FRESNO COOLING CENTERS

▪ Ted C. Wills Community Center: 770 N. San Pablo Ave., south of Olive Avenue near the Tower District
▪ Frank H. Ball Neighborhood Center: 760 Mayor Ave. in west Fresno
▪ Mosqueda Community Center: 4670 E. Butler Ave. in southeast Fresno
▪ Pinedale Community Center: 7170 N. San Pablo Ave. near River Park shopping center
▪ Romain Neighborhood Park: 745 North First St., south of Highway 180, east of Highway 41 and north of Belmont
FRESNO POOLS

▪ Airways Pool: 5440 E. Shields Ave., west of Fresno Yosemite International Airport at Airways Municipal Golf Course
▪ Frank H. Ball Pool: 760 Mayor Ave. in west Fresno at Frank H. Ball Community Center
▪ Mary Ella Brown Pool: 1350 E. Annadale Ave., west of Highway 41 at the Mary Ella Brown Community Center
▪ Mosqueda Pool: 4670 E. Butler Ave. in southeast Fresno at Mosqueda Community Center

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