Temperatures could hit as high as 107 in parts of the Central Valley this weekend, but not every town will be affected equally.
There are several towns within an hour or two of Fresno where people can relax, get out of the heat and maybe even enjoy some time away from civilization.
The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Hanford has issued heat advisories for most of the Central Valley, with extreme heat warnings hitting areas like Paso Robles and areas outside San Luis Obispo.
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Carlos Molina, a meteorologist with the NWS Hanford office, cautioned that the heat is likely to be worst on Saturday but will last throughout the weekend and into Monday.
“You definitely need to take precautions,” Molina said.
He recommended shade, staying out of the sun and drinking plenty of water as a general rule, but he also pointed out that leaving town in search of cooler climates might also be an attractive option for many.
If taking that path, Molina suggested going to the east or the north, as most places west and south of Fresno are also going to be under heat advisories.
Bass Lake in Madera County is expected to get to a high of 93, about 10 degrees cooler than much of Fresno. Up in the foothills to the south, Springville is likely going to reach 94, and to the east Auberry is looking at a high of 95 with a light wind Saturday.
Getting away to the national parks or to higher elevations is also a possibility for those willing to make a weekend trip. Tuolumne Meadows in the high country of Yosemite National Park is expected to see a high of 78, 25 degrees lower than Fresno’s forecasted average, and Lake Edison in the Sierra Nevada of eastern Fresno County will see temperatures around 73 to 87 this weekend.
Grant Grove and Lodge Pole in Sequoia National Park are also both going to be around 77 to 80 this weekend.
Molina warned those who go to higher elevations this weekend that even though it might not be as hot as it is in the valley, drinking enough water is still crucial.
“As you go up in elevation, the humidity drops off,” Molina said.
This story was originally published July 30, 2026 5:15 PM.
The Fresno Bee
Amber Hair (they/them) is the food and restaurants reporter and influencer. Amber has been in professional journalism for more than a decade, writing for outlets like the Orlando Sentinel, The Villages Daily Sun, the Pacific Coast Business Times and others. In their spare time, they enjoy going to concerts, reading and spending time with their cats.