Amanda McCann works out in the air-conditioned Fitness Pro on Tuesday in Lodi. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Record heat in Lodi

Region smothered by smoke; today could hit 111

Tuesday's high of 106 degrees set a new record, and it looks like today will see even more historic heat.

The National Weather Service is predicting today's high will hit 111 degrees, which would break the record of 107 degrees set in 1961.

The record high for July 8 had been 104, which was recorded in 1932. Temperatures are expected stay past the century mark through Friday, according to the NWS and the private weather forecasting firm AccuWeather.

While the NWS reported a high of 106, Lodi saw a range of numbers from other agencies. AccuWeather reported 108 degrees, Lodi Fire Station 3 on Ham Lane reported 104 degrees and the temperature sign at the Bank of Stockton on Church Street reported 109.

If the heat wasn't bad enough, the murky, lingering haze from the hundreds of wildfires raging throughout the state made the weather feel even worse. Smoke is also expected to stay in the Lodi area for the rest of the week, too. Lows are predicted to be in the low 70s to high 60s.

Local residents changed schedules and did errands earlier in the day while others walked from parked cars to air conditioned stores as quickly as possible.

For some businesses, the hot weather generates more sales.

The Bank of Stockton temperature sign on Church Street in Lodi reads 109 degrees at 5 p.m. Tuesday. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

"When it gets hot, chemicals are off, chlorine is off, (so) when it's hot, we are doing great," said Shantel Raya, manager at Leslie's Pool Supply.

Raya said the company has seen about a 50 percent increase in sales over the last couple of weeks.

Other businesses such as Fitness Pro have also seen an increase in members since temperatures rose.

Owner, Randall Morton said during the summer, people who normally work out outdoors, come join the gym with a short-term membership.

"They have to otherwise they'll get heat stroke," Morton said. "If you have equipment in the garage, have fun."

Morton said he recommends people outdoors have 20 ounces of water an hour because it is dangerous to wait until you are thirsty.

Amber Kranich, sales representative at Geweke Auto and Recreational Vehicle Group, said Geweke has changed their procedures to better serve hot customers.

"People usually wait until it cools down to come like in the early morning or evenings," Kranich said. "We usually try to take them inside to do negotiations, give them water, we adapt to anything."

But despite the rise in temperatures, many locals are finding ways to get around it or just deal with it.

"You get used to it after awhile," said David Zabalza of Stockton. "People don't seem too affected."

Erin Wright of Lockeford, also found a way to keep herself and one-year-old daughter, Ayden out of the heat.

The two plan to spend the next couple of days playing at the Modesto mall and spending more time indoors.

"We are getting out less, mostly in the morning," Wright said. "We spend a lot of time inside because there aren't places in Lodi to play when it's hot."

Contact Natalie Flynn at natalief@lodinews.com.