Merced and Valley are expected to see pressure cooker-like heat this week.

While hot summers are nothing new for the Merced region, meteorologists say this week will be as hot as many thought.
An above-normal heatwave expected to hit Merced and the rest of the valley prompted the National Weather Service to issue a heat warning Tuesday through Friday.
Merced is forecasting a high of 101 on Monday and a high of 105 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Highs of 102C are expected on Thursday and Friday.
Levels can reach 107 or 108 in some areas of the central San Joaquin Valley, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Andy Bollenbacher.
“By noon Wednesday and Thursday, the maximum temperature will be about 10 degrees above normal,” he said.
Overheating monitoring will be carried out in the San Joaquin Valley, the Lower Sierra Foothills, the Kern Valley, and the Coastal Mountains from late Tuesday morning through Friday evening. Overheating hours mean extended periods of dangerously hot weather are expected. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/wGbLYR4HR8
He said a strong high-pressure ridge is developing in the area, meaning stagnant air will heat up until the weather comes to blow it away.
A triple-digit heatwave is expected in the San Joaquin Valley every day from Tuesday to Friday. Superheat monitoring is active. Below are the high temperature probabilities for some locations in the San Joaquin Valley Tuesday through Friday. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/r2HEmGMkre
Nightly lows from the mid-70s to highs, especially in urban areas, will exacerbate the pain. Such warm nighttime temperatures may also put people susceptible to heat illness at higher risk, according to HeatWatch.
The Bureau of Meteorology advises people to drink plenty of water, stay in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible, and stay out of the sun. He also advised people to check on relatives and neighbors.
Never leave pets or children unattended as the temperature inside the car can reach deadly temperatures within minutes.
Heat in the Merced region is expected to ease over the weekend, with a high of 101 degrees on Saturday and 96 degrees on Sunday.