The heat is returning with a vengeance.
After below normal temperatures for the last two months, the National Weather Service expects temperatures to soar past the century mark starting Friday for eight straight days of double digit weather. That will make today’s expected high of 95 degrees cool in comparison.
The peak day is forecast for Monday with a high of 110 degrees. At the same time the overnight low Saturday of 73 degrees was what the daytime high was in Manteca just a week ago.
The Weather Service is warning people to take extreme caution in rivers and lakes. There is still more than a million acre feet of water yet to melt in the Stanislaus River snowpack alone. Sierra highs will soar as well with Yosemite Valley flirting with 90 degrees in the coming days.
That will accelerate the snowmelt sending fast moving chilly water into the valley via rivers such as the Stanislaus and San Joaquin rivers that are still under flood watch.
If you’re a kid, it’ll be a great time on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to head down to Library Park in downtown Manteca between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. That’s when the free interactive water play feature will be working.
The Lincoln Pool on Powers Avenue next to Lincoln School and across from the fire station is open daily for public swimming June 5 through Aug. 6. The hours are 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. as well as Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. August weekend hours are noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 12-13 and Aug. 19-20.  
Children 4 and under are free while youth 14 to 17 are $2, adults 18 to 61 are $3 and seniors 62 and up are $2. Family passes good for up to four people can be purchased for the season for $60 at the Manteca Parks & Recreation office, 252 Magnolia Ave.

The National Weather Service offers for the following tips for dealing with the next nine days:
uStay in shade and wear lightweight clothing.
uSave activities for the coolest time of the day.
uStay indoors in air-conditioned locations.
uCare for pets, livestock, and other sensitive groups.
uHead for the coast for some relief.
uAlways stay hydrated and stock up on extra water.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com