Extreme Weather Heats Up Northern Nevada

As unseasonably warm temperatures continue to stall in the triple digits in large parts of the western United States, Yahoo asked residents to share their heat wave experiences. Here's one.

FIRST PERSON | RENO, Nev. -- The heat is doing more than making Reno-area residents sweat. As temperatures soar in northern Nevada, so does the chance of wildfires and heat-related injuries.

With record-high temperatures reaching 105 earlier this week, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory until at least 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Many residents are staying inside or taking to the water to cool down.

"I get up and water my yard at 8 a.m. and then stay inside with the air conditioning going all day," said Sparks resident Glenna Gish. "It is too hot to go anywhere or do anything."

Gish, who has lived in Sparks since 1977, said this heat wave is the worst she has ever experienced. "I can't remember it ever being this hot here," she said.

Desiree McErquiaga Gray of Reno agreed. She said that she stays inside and has a Lifetime-Channel-a-Thon, watching sappy movies for hours on end.

If she has to go out she takes her kids to the Bowers Mansion Pool in New Washoe City or hits Yogurt Beach for a cool treat.

"I go kayaking or paddle boarding at Lake Tahoe," said Reno resident Christopher Foreman.

The Truckee River is also a hot spot for young and old alike. However, two people have already drowned after entering its cool but unpredictable waters on Tuesday.

Along with northern Nevada's sweltering heat comes the afternoon wind, thunderstorms, and possible brush fires and flash flooding.

Since Sunday, a fire has burned 96 acres near Silver City (the Pedlar Fire) and 5,400 acres have been consumed in the Red Rock Fire north of Reno.

For those avoiding the smoky skies and afternoon storms, their homes provide a safe haven from the heat.

"As long as the air conditioner keeps on cooling, I'll be fine, " said Gish's husband, Don.

And so far that has not been an issue yet.

"Fortunately, the heat has not caused any service issues. NV Energy has adequate resources to serve the company's 324,000 electric customers in northern Nevada," NV Energy spokesman Karl Walquist said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/extreme-weather-heats-northern-nevada-200300469.html

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