Never leave children, disabled or elderly adults or pets in parked, unattended vehicles! The temperature inside a parked vehicle can rapidly rise to dangerous levels for people and pets. Leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate. The effects can be more severe on children because their bodies have not developed the ability to efficiently regulate internal temperature.

A few strong thunderstorms are possible in the Sierra Nevada this afternoon and evening. The primary thunderstorm hazards will be dangerous cloud to ground lightning strikes, small hail, and wind gusts near 45 mph.

A Wind Advisory has been issued for the Mojave Desert Slopes from 7pm tomorrow night through 7am Friday morning. Wind gusts will be 45-50 mph. Highways 58 and 14 will be impacted. With wind gusts, remember to drive safely, especially when in a high profile vehicle.

With warm temperatures this weekend, area rivers and streams in Central California may look inviting, but can be quite dangerous to those who enter. Reservoirs that are nearly full are releasing sizable volumes of water. Therefore, rivers and streams will run cold, deep, and swift, resulting in potentially life-threatening hazards. Brief exposure to the cold water of a river or stream may lead to hypothermia and loss of dexterity. Swift currents can quickly exhaust even an experienced swimmer and carry them into rocks, trees, and other vegetation within the river channel. Bottom line is that rivers and streams are dangerous places to seek cooling relief from the heat. Venturing into them can result in drowning or water rescue.

As the snowmelt season continues, rivers and streams could see rapid rises, creating dangerous situations. Know your limits and always make sure to take precautions before entering into a river or stream. Here's tips on how to be prepared.