Those who opened their iPhone weather app on Thursday morning probably were ready to book an Alaskan cruise upon seeing a July 6 forecast of 122 degrees.

“I was like, I’m getting the hell out of here,” said Amanda Shelton, office manager at Sacred Heart School. “I don’t know where, but I’m out of here.”

There was enough hand-wringing about what would be a record-breaking temperature in every city from Redding to Bakersfield that the National Weather Service issued a tweet stating there was a zero percent chance — with the exception of China Lake in Kern County, where’s there’s merely a 2 percent chance — of the temperatures hitting 120 degrees.

A few hours later, Apple had fixed the apparent glitch, and displayed an updated forecast of 109 — still no bargain.

After a relatively tame weekend, with temperatures hovering just under 100 degrees today and tomorrow, the blast furnace that is the Central Valley is going to crank up on Monday with the first of what’s expected to be more than 10 consecutive days in triple digits.

“We’re getting some high-pressure ridging building over the area, from the eastern Pacific and the desert southwest merging,” said Eric Kurth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento. “That’ll produce well above normal heat for next week; about 10 to 12 degrees above normal for this time of year.”

Kurth said temperatures are expected top out on Wednesday at 108 degrees, with a slight cooling trend beginning Thursday.

“There are some hints it’ll be less hot Thursday,” said Kurth. “It looks like we could see some Delta flow … a little cool, marine air that would trend temps down a little bit. I can’t call it cool, because it would still be 105 on Thursday.”

The city will open its cooling centers at the Roger K. Fall Transit Center, 1418 N. Golden State Blvd., and the Turlock Public Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave.

Bus fare to the transit center is free upon the rider’s request during excessive heat warnings.

Turlock Gospel Mission, 437 S. Broadway will also offer a cooling center from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. When the temperature exceeds 100 degrees, an indoor cooling center will be opened.

“We’re in need of bottled water and plastic cups and plates,” said TGM executive director Christian Curby. “Those are the core things we need to help keep people cool and hydrated and safe.

“It’s a challenge for everybody, and to a greater degree those that have no shelter. For most of us, we can get into a cool space at some point during our day. It’s challenging for the unsheltered to find respite when it’s hot. It’s very dangerous.”

In addition to the cooling center, TGM is offering services, such as lunch, dinner, a telemedicine clinic, pet services and storage.

Stanislaus County’s Office of Emergency Services recommends limiting outdoor time between the hours of 3 and 7 p.m.; drinking plenty of water; taking breaks in the shade; and checking on older or infirm neighbors and relatives.

Tiffany Hart, a registered veterinary technician at Canal Veterinary Hospital, reminded pet owners to take precautions, making sure their pets have access to shade and fresh water when outside.

“We typically recommend keeping your pets indoors during heatwaves,” said Hart. “Overheating can lead to a whole bunch of complications.”

Walking on hot concrete is dangerous for pets, so the early morning hours are best for walks.

“Even in the later evening, after it’s been really, really hot out, the concrete and asphalt can still be way too hot for their paws,” said Hart. “So, typically, early morning is the best.”

Signs that your pet may be struggling with the heat include heavy panting, lethargy, disorientation, and even fainting.

“They can even also show signs of excitement when they’re overheating,” said Hart. “They get a little bit confused and roam around and act excited, which can lead to heating up the body even more. The ones we really do not want outside are the brachycephalic breeds — bulldogs, pugs — the breeds with the really short noses. They tend to not move oxygen as well as other dogs, so that causes them to overheat a lot faster. We highly advise they stay indoors.”

Cats, on the other hand, tend not to need as much help.

“Cats kind of figure it out on their own, but they can overheat,” said Hart. “If you have a cat that’s not used to going outdoors, then keep it inside to make sure it’s safe.”

Livestock also have a hard time during extreme heat.

“Heatwaves are stressful on large animals,” said Aaron Souza, whose family dairy in Newman has been in operation for more than 40 years. “Water and shade are important. And if you can’t create an air-conditioned setting, then air movement in the barns, with ventilation and fans, is the next best thing.

“Heat is the most stressful weather that dairy farmers deal with. Wet and mud are tough, yeah, but the month of July is the most stressful for a dairy farmer.” 

Souza said that extreme heat can affect milk production, and result in reproductive difficulties.

“A lot can go wrong in the heat,” said Souza.

Lawns and gardens can also taking a beating during the heat. 

“Try to run water before the sun comes up so there’s less evaporation,” said Jay DeGraff, owner of Turlock’s Greenery Nursery, 742 E. Olive Ave. “And just make sure that drip-systems or whatever water device you have is on long enough to hydrate plants in such a hot environment. Or, even have the water come on a second time during your specified watering day.”